I really, really like the name Siobhan (so it’s a girl, you knew that), but unfortunately nobody here (Singapore) is familiar with the original spelling, and there are some unfortunate “false friends” meaning “roast meat” or similar in Cantonese.
Not wanting to subject my poor daughter to that, my wife and I are thinking of alternatives. What’s your favourite alternate spelling of Siobhan? We’re thinking of going with Chevonne for now.
My favourite “alternate” spelling is please just don’t. It’s hard enough for those of us saddled with that fucking name without people poisoning the well and giving other assholes an opportunity to go “Oh that’s a funny spelling, my cousin’s sister’s brother’s daughter spells it Sheeevaawwwnnn”
Hey, with weird Irish spellings, either could be translated from Siobhan!
Whatever you do, don’t try to be so clever as to give your child a curse that they will forever hate you for in the future. Listen to Sierra. She’s wise.
I have known Asian kids that were named Kanoe and Fuch, pronounced Canoe( like the thing you paddle down the river) and Foo. They survived with their original spellings so I say go with the traditional Irish version. I agree that alternative spellings look trashy.
Friends of mine named their daughters Shayne (meaning Siobhan) and Caeilyn (Caitlin). Odd from my perspective but these girls have held their heads up and thrived.
Yeah Sam, I agree but I’m not the parents. No harm done and I think the objective was to provide the girls with memorable names.
And yes Pooka, Shona is a fine Scottish name well known and conferred in my part of New Zealand. Och aye the noo. My mother was a Stuart and my brother and my son are named Andrew.