Sian

Sian is a feminine given name of Welsh origin. It is the anglicized form of Siân, the Welsh spelling of Jane, which itself derives from the Hebrew Yohanan, meaning “Yahweh is gracious.” The form Sian is commonly used in English-language contexts, while Siân remains the traditional Welsh spelling. The name is most closely associated with Wales but is used in many English-speaking countries as well.

In Welsh, Siân is typically pronounced something like “shahn” or “shawn.” The anglicized spelling Sian often adopts pronunciations such as “see-ahn” or “syan,” depending on the speaker and regional variation.

Notable people bearing the name include journalist Sian Williams and actress Siân Phillips. The name has a broad presence in Welsh and wider British culture, appearing in literature, media, and public life in various spellings.

Beyond personal names, Sian Ka’an is the name of a large biosphere reserve on the Caribbean coast of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Though the term appears in a very different linguistic and geographical context, it is sometimes encountered in discussions that include the spellings Sian or Siân.

Variations and cognates of the name reflect its Celtic and Biblical roots, with Siân as the Welsh form and Jane as the broader English variant. The name remains in use today, particularly in Wales and among Welsh communities worldwide.