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LOVE! Also like Chevonne.

I don’t like the way it looks. It looks made up to me
If you like the sound why not just use Siobhan?

It's funny because outside of Irish context/spelling, it seems French (this spelling in particular reminds me of Yvonne)...which makes sense because it's Jehanne spelled for a nonFrench speaker.

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I do like Siobhan (similar to how I like Sinead, Sabine, Shannon), and this spelling is workable though not what I'd pick for a phonetic version.

This message was edited 3/12/2021, 1:17 PM

Dazed and Confused

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This is the name of a semi-prominent character the movie Dazed and Confused. She's one of main character Jodi Kramer's best friends, and is dating the best friend (forget his name) of Randy "Pink" Floyd. It's been a while since I watched it, but I remember that's her name, even though I think it's only said once or twice. I remember it because it jumped out at me as being unique.

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Since the first time I saw that movie, I've met a couple Siobhans (including once who pronounced her name SEE-O-BAN and got irritated with me for pronouncing it the Irish way because, I quote, "Well I'm not Irish!"); and one Shivonne. But not another Shavonne.

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As far as Anglicized Celtic names go, I don't think it's bad, to be honest. But it does feel very 1970s, likely because of the movie.

This message was edited 3/12/2021, 6:11 PM

I’m gonna go against the grain a bit. I know this is totally butchering Siobhan. However, in an English speaking context, it sure is a lot friendlier.

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Shevonne is maybe better because the pronunciation is closer.

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Anyway I think most people who used it wouldn’t be thinking of Siobhan anyway. I’m not a huge fan but I don’t hate it. It’s a workable name.

Something about this name touches me. Yes, it looks ignorant, but there's a sense of striving behind it, a stubborn humility coupled with ambition that I sort of admire. It reminds me of Charmaine - a pretty trashy name where I'm from, but one often chosen because it sounds so fancy that it's got this magic spell of "I wish success and glamour for this child" pinned on it that arouses my sympathy. All the Charmaines I know are tough-talking and hard as nails, very streetwise, but they were given a chiffon-wrapped name because their parents wanted them to rise up and experience the good things in life. I used to hate that it was a dumbed-down Charmion, but now I appreciate its evolution. Charmion would not be a successful name; Charmaine is. And I see the same thing when I look at names like Shavonne and Keeva and Bevin and stuff like that.

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Shavonne is blunt and brutal and it makes perfect sense - I imagine it on a kid whose family is proud of Irish roots that they are so far removed from that spelling it Siobhán would look like the height of snobbery and almost rudeness. Because they absolutely do not run in circles where Siobhán would be a successful name.

Uggghghghghghghghghghhghg

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If you're going to give your child an Irish name, spell it properly. Anglicising it like that is colonialist to say the least. Siobhan is a lovely name already.

Dated and unsatisfying anglicization. I like the idea of anglicizing Siobhan, but not so much this Sha spelling.
I like Chevonne better.
Also since it's supposed to be pronounced more like "shiv-on" than "shah-von," I think the e gets closer than an a.
Any -vonne name is gonna look dated .. maybe Chevon, Shevon, or Shivon would look less so.

It's like a new word for when you're shoveling something and the shovel hits a rock and vibrates back at you painfully. You got Shavonned.

This message was edited 3/11/2021, 9:59 PM

Looks painful

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Siobhan is better.

its ok, prefer Siobhan

I prefer the original version: Siobhán. This feels like a cheaper quality knock-off version to me. No offense intended.

I think it's beautiful.

I do not really like the -vonne sound (I also dislike Yvonne) and Sh- is one of my least favorite sounds (except for Shea and Shirley I can't think of a name that I like) so overall it doesn't work for me.