How do you pronounce this name?

[Tobus]

I figured someone had been watching American Idol with that really pretty girl named Siobhan who got cut a couple weeks back.

Never seen that show. I asked because it's the name of a character in a book my wife is reading (one of the Twilight series books, lol).

[Lachlan09]

That is my daughters middle name. It means "God is gracious" The English is Joan.
It’s pronounced “shiv-awn”, like Chevonne, but with more of an “ive” sound.

It can be heard HERE

I think the Scottish Gaelic version of Joan is Seonag (Shawnak)

[xman]

That's a beautiful name which has long attracted me. Throw in a flash of red hair and an accent and I'm afraid I might melt.

[TheSp8]

I figured someone had been watching American Idol with that really pretty girl named Siobhan who got cut a couple weeks back.

She's not cut yet, she made through for yet another week a few minutes ago. It sounds to me like they pronounce it correctly sometimes and other times make the B sound when they say it. I was wondering which way was correct.

YMOS,
Tony

[hospitaller]

I listen to Original FM (a radio in Aberdeen) daily via the Internet, and they make daily reference to several Siobhan.

The consensus, among 5 different broadcasters, both male and female is something like "SHeO-BAHN"

[MrShoe]

I listen to Original FM (a radio in Aberdeen) daily via the Internet, and they make daily reference to several Siobhan.

The consensus, among 5 different broadcasters, both male and female is something like "SHeO-BAHN"

Not to be critical. I did a lot of research before selecting all of my daughters middle name. All are Gaelic Siobhán, Rosian and Caoimhe
But in Gaelic the pronunciation guidelines, as I know, them are as follows.
"S" in this case is a Slender Consonant and is pronounced with a "sh"

"io" is a short diphthong, a combination of two short vowel sounds. For most short diphthongs you simply say the two vowels rather quickly one after the other. Additionally, in Ulster Irish the accent always occurs on the first syllable. Pronounced as in "miss"

bh is considered a single letter and is either a Broad Consonant w or Slender Consonant v. Since the S is Slender the bh must follow as Slender as well.

"á" is a Long Vowel as in "Pa" or "a" a Short Vowel as is "ago"

"n" is a Simple Consonant and pronounced an "n" weather it be Slender or Broad.

sh- i - v -aw - n or Shiv-awn

[thescot]

She's not cut yet, she made through for yet another week a few minutes ago. It sounds to me like they pronounce it correctly sometimes and other times make the B sound when they say it. I was wondering which way was correct.

YMOS,
Tony

Ooops. You can see how much I watch that show. I just go by what my wife says, and she says I never listern. . . . Or something like that.

I only watched the last 15 minutes last night at her insistance, and I called the losers correctly.

That Siobhan is a real looker, and she can sing, too. Y'all vote for her. Anybody who looks that pretty, sings that well, and is named Siobhan should get our support.

BTW, when not on stage, she wears glasses and looks like the girl next door.

Back to the subjectof this thread, it's a very pretty name that I'd not heard before, and I really like the explanations and pronunciations presented here.

[sfb]

"That Siobhan is a real looker, and she can sing, too. Y'all vote for her. Anybody who looks that pretty, sings that well, and is named Siobhan should get our support."

You're a man of great wisdom and taste.

Pronunciation wise, I think most folk in Scotland would go for something approaching Shi-vawn (or indeed Sh'vawn)..but as you say it's an Irish name, so that's maybe no guide.

Oh, and Lachlan said "I think the Scottish Gaelic version of Joan is Seonag (Shawnak)". Lol - I'd always thought the Scottish name was Seonaid, and that was the Gaelic for Janet. Just goes to show every day's a schoolday.

[Knocker Dave]

Mr. Killman...Siobhan is still on Idol. That girl can sing!!

[Knocker Dave]

That gal on Idol can SING!!