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{{Other uses|Shannon (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox given name
{{Infobox given name
| name = Shannon
| name = Shannon
| image =
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| caption =
| pronunciation = SHAN-non
| pronunciation = {{IPAc-en|ˈ|ʃ|æ|n|ən}} {{respell|SHAN-ən}}
| gender = [[Unisex]]
| gender = Female (Ireland)<br/>Unisex (America, Australia)
| meaning = "wise river"
| meaning = "wise river"
| region = [[Ireland]]
| region = [[Ireland]]
Line 16: Line 14:
| popularity =
| popularity =
}}
}}
'''Shannon''' ("old river") is an [[Irish language|Irish]] name, [[Anglicised]] from '''Sionainn'''. Alternative spellings include Shannen, Shanon, Shannan, Seanan, and Siannon. The variant [[Shana (disambiguation)|Shanna]] is an Anglicisation of Sionna.
'''Shannon''' is an [[Irish language|Irish]] name, [[Anglicised]] from '''Sionainn'''. Alternative spellings include Shannen, Shanon, Shannan, Seanan, and Siannon. The variant [[Shana (disambiguation)|Shanna]] is an Anglicisation of Sionna.


''Sionainn'' derives from the Irish name ''Abha na tSionainn'' for the [[River Shannon]].<ref name="behindthename">{{cite web |url=http://www.behindthename.com/name/shannon |title=Shannon |last=Campbell |first=Mike |work=Behind the Name |access-date=7 October 2012}}</ref> Because the suffix ''ain'' indicates a [[diminutive]] in Irish, the name is sometimes mistranslated as 'little wise one', but means 'possessor of wisdom'.
''Sionainn'' derives from the Irish name ''Abha na tSionainn'' for the [[River Shannon]]. Because the suffix ''ain'' indicates a [[diminutive]] in Irish, the name is sometimes mistranslated as 'little wise one', but means 'possessor of wisdom'.


Some derive the denomination of Shannon ([[Irish language|Irish]]: Sionnain) from the phrase ''sean-amhan'' or "old river."<ref>Wood, Thomas. An Inquiry concerning the Primitive Inhabitants of Ireland. London, 1821. 117. Print.</ref> Another reported derivation is from ''Ó Seanaigh,'' "descendant of Seanach," which yielded the surnames Shanahan and Shannon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.babynamewizard.com/baby-name/boy/shannon|title=Shannon Name Meaning & Origin|website=Baby Name Wizard|language=en|access-date=2019-02-26}}</ref>
Some derive the denomination of Shannon ([[Irish language|Irish]]: Sionnain) from the phrase ''sean-amhan'' or "old river."<ref>Wood, Thomas. An Inquiry concerning the Primitive Inhabitants of Ireland. London, 1821. 117. Print.</ref> Another reported derivation is from ''Ó Seanaigh,'' "descendant of Seanach", which yielded the surnames Shanahan and Shannon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.babynamewizard.com/baby-name/boy/shannon|title=Shannon Name Meaning & Origin|website=Baby Name Wizard|language=en|access-date=2019-02-26}}</ref>


==Namesake==
==Namesake==
The name ''Sionainn'' alludes to Sionna, a goddess in [[Irish mythology]] whose name means 'possessor of wisdom'. She is the [[namesake]] and matron of Sionainn, the River Shannon. Sionainn is the longest river in [[Ireland]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The River Shannon: A Journey Down Ireland's Longest River |first=Aiveen |last=Cooper |publisher=Collins Press |location=[[Cork (city)|Cork]] |date=2011 |isbn=9781848891074 |oclc=751791624 |page=6 }}</ref>
The name ''Sionainn'' alludes to Sionna, a goddess in [[Irish mythology]] whose name means 'possessor of wisdom'. She is the [[namesake]] and matron of Sionainn, the [[River Shannon]]. The Shannon is the longest river in [[Ireland]]<ref name="behindthename">{{cite web |last=Campbell |first=Mike |title=Shannon |url=http://www.behindthename.com/name/shannon |access-date=7 October 2012 |work=Behind the Name}}</ref> and in the [[British Isles]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The River Shannon: A Journey Down Ireland's Longest River |first=Aiveen |last=Cooper |publisher=Collins Press |location=[[Cork (city)|Cork]] |date=2011 |isbn=978-1-84889-107-4 |oclc=751791624 |page=6 }}</ref>


Sionainn is one of seven rivers of knowledge said to flow from [[Connla's Well]], the well of wisdom in the [[Celtic Otherworld]] (the realm of the dead). Legends vary about the creation of the river, but they all recount the drowning of the Sionna, granddaughter of the great sea god [[Ler (mythology)|Lir]], usually at an undersea well. <ref>Bulik, Mark. The Sons of Molly Maguire: The Irish Roots of America's First Labor War. Fordham University Press, 2015. Print.</ref>
Sionainn is one of seven rivers of knowledge said to flow from [[Connla's Well]], the well of wisdom in the [[Celtic Otherworld]] (the realm of the dead). Legends vary about the creation of the river, but they all recount the drowning of the Sionna, granddaughter of the great sea god [[Ler (mythology)|Lir]], usually at an undersea well. <ref>Bulik, Mark. The Sons of Molly Maguire: The Irish Roots of America's First Labor War. Fordham University Press, 2015. Print.</ref>


According to the legend, nine sacred [[hazel]]<ref>Domhnaill, Fadó. ''Tales of Lesser Known Irish History''. Leicestershire, UK: Matador, 2013. 7.<!--What is "7"? Is that supposed to be a volume number? A page?--></ref> (or, by some accounts, [[rowan]]<ref>{{cite book |title=Land/Scape/Theater |editor-last=Fuchs |editor-first=Elinor |editor2-last=Chaudhuri |editor2-first=Una |year=2002 |publisher=[[University of Michigan Press]] |location=[[Ann Arbor, Michigan|Ann Arbor]] |isbn=0-472-06720-6 |oclc=49618732 |page=65 |access-date=7 October 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d3HxzFOvLCcC&pg=PA65}}</ref>) trees grow near the well, and drop their bright red fruit in it and on the ground.<ref>{{cite book |title=History of Ireland: The Heroic Period |last=O'Grady |first=Standish |author-link=Standish James O'Grady |year=1878 |publisher=Sampson, Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington |location=[[London]] |oclc=28088025 |series=Library of English Literature }}</ref> In the well live the [[Salmon of Knowledge]], whose wisdom comes from eating this fruit. By eating the fruit or one of the salmon, one can share in this wisdom.
According to the legend, nine sacred [[hazel]] (or, by some accounts, [[rowan]]) trees grow near the well, and drop their bright red fruit in it and on the ground.<ref>Domhnaill, Fadó. ''Tales of Lesser Known Irish History''. Leicestershire, UK: Matador, 2013.</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Land/Scape/Theater |editor-last=Fuchs |editor-first=Elinor |editor2-last=Chaudhuri |editor2-first=Una |year=2002 |publisher=[[University of Michigan Press]] |location=[[Ann Arbor, Michigan|Ann Arbor]] |isbn=0-472-06720-6 |oclc=49618732 |page=65 |access-date=7 October 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d3HxzFOvLCcC&pg=PA65}}</ref> In the well live the [[Salmon of Knowledge]], whose wisdom comes from eating this fruit. By eating the fruit or one of the salmon, one can share in this wisdom.<ref>{{cite book |title=History of Ireland: The Heroic Period |last=O'Grady |first=Standish |author-link=Standish James O'Grady |year=1878 |publisher=Sampson, Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington |location=London |oclc=28088025 |series=Library of English Literature }}</ref>


==Shortened forms==
==Shortened forms==
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==Popularity==
==Popularity==
In the [[United States]], the name first appeared on the [[Social Security Administration]]'s in 1881 for males.<ref>[http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/ popular name list]</ref> It later gained popularity as a feminine name in 1937. During the 1970s, American parents began to confer the name on boys and girls alike. It was during this time that the name's popularity peaked in the United States. In the 1990 [[United States Census]], ''Shannon'' was the 317th most common name for American males.
In the United States, the name first appeared on the [[Social Security Administration]]'s list in 1881 for males.<ref>[http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/ popular name list]</ref> During the 1970s, American parents began to confer the name on boys and girls alike. It was during this time that the name's popularity peaked in the United States. In the 1990 [[United States Census]], ''Shannon'' was the 317th most common name for American males.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Irish emigrants may have popularized the name due to their nostalgia for Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dochara.com/the-irish/first-names/traditional-irish-girls-names-a-c/|title=Traditional Irish Girls' Names: A-C|date=2008-11-30|website=www.dochara.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-26}}</ref> After ''Shannon'' became a popular unisex name in the United States, Irish parents, too, began to give newborn boys this name.


==Women==
==Women==
⚫
* [[Shannon (American singer)|Shannon]] (born 1958), American singer
* [[Shannon Applegate]], American historian
* [[Shannon Applegate]], American historian
* [[Shannon Ashlyn]] (born 1990), Australian Actress
* [[Shannon Ashlyn]] (born 1986), Australian actress
⚫
* [[Shannon Aubert]] (born 1995), French golfer
* [[Shannon Bahrke]] (born 1980), American freestyle skier
* [[Shannon Bahrke]] (born 1980), American freestyle skier
* [[Shannon Baker]] (born 1980), New Zealand Rugby player
* [[Shannon Baker]] (born 1980), New Zealand Rugby player
* [[Shannon Barnett]] (born 1982), American composer
* [[Shannon Barnett]] (born 1982), American composer
* [[Shannon Bell]] (born 1955), Canadian performance philosopher
* [[Shannon Bell]] (born 1955), Canadian performance philosopher
* [[Shannon Berry]], American actress
* [[Shannon Beveridge]] (born 1992), American YouTube personality
⚫
* [[Shannon Beveridge]] (born 1992), American [[YouTube]]r
* [[Shannon Bex]] (born 1980), American singer
* [[Shannon Bex]] (born 1980), American singer
* [[Shannon Birchard]] (born 1994), Canadian curler
* [[Shannon Birchard]] (born 1994), Canadian curler
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* [[Shannon Bramer]] (born 1973), Canadian poet
* [[Shannon Bramer]] (born 1973), Canadian poet
* [[Shannon Bream]] (born 1970), American journalist
* [[Shannon Bream]] (born 1970), American journalist
⚫
* [[Shannon Brown (musician)]] (born 1973), American singer
* [[Shannon Campbell]] (born 1996), Australian footballer
* [[Shannon Campbell]] (born 1996), Australian footballer
* [[Shannon Cassidy]] (1961–1999), American voice actress
* [[Shannon Cassidy]] (1961–1999), American voice actress
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* [[Shannon Curtis]], American dreampop singer
* [[Shannon Curtis]], American dreampop singer
* [[Shannon Dawdy]] (born 1967), American historian
* [[Shannon Dawdy]] (born 1967), American historian
* [[Shannon Day]] (1896–1977), American silent-film actress
* [[Shannon Day]] (1896–1977), American actress
* [[Shannon Delany]], American author
* [[Shannon Delany]], American author
* [[Shannen Doherty]], American actress
* [[Shannen Doherty]] (1971–2024), American actress
* [[Shannon Elizabeth]] (born 1973), American actress
* [[Shannon Elizabeth]] (born 1973), American actress
* [[Shannon Flynn]] (born 1996), English actress
* [[Shannon Flynn]] (born 1996), English actress
* [[Shannon Flynn (director)|Shannon Flynn]], American director
* [[Shannon Galpin]] (born 1974), American film producer
* Shannon Brenda Greene (born 1958), stage name [[Shannon (American singer)|Shannon]], American singer
* [[Shannon Galpin]] (born 1974), American film producer
* [[Shannon Grove]] (born 1965), American politician from California
* [[Shannon Gelson]] (born 1990), Irish-American Rugby player
⚫
* [[Shannon Grove]] (born 1965), American politician
* [[Shannon Jackson]], American performance theorist, author of the 2004 book ''Professing Performativity''
* [[Shannon Lucid]] (born 1943) American biochemist and astronaut
* [[Shannon Hale]] (born 1974), American author
* [[Shannon Jackson]], American author and performance theorist
* [[Shannon Kane]] (born 1986), American actress
* [[Shannon Lee]] (born 1969), American actress and businesswoman
* [[Shannon Lucid]] (born 1943), American biochemist and astronaut
* [[Shannon Lynn]] (born 1985), Scottish footballer
* [[Shannon Lynn]] (born 1985), Scottish footballer
* [[Shannon Magrane]] (born 1995), performer on ''American Idol''
* [[Shannon Magrane]] (born 1995), American singer
* [[Shannon McRandle]] (born 1969), model and makeup artist
* [[Shannon Mato]] (born 1998), Australian rugby league player
* [[Shannon Ashley Mitchell]] (born 1987), Canadian actress, model, entrepreneur and author
* [[Shannon McRandle]] (born 1969), American makeup artist and model
* Shannon Spruill (born 1975), American professional wrestler, manager, and actor better known as [[Daffney]]
* [[Shannon Miller]] (born 1977), American artistic gymnast
* [[Shannon Murphy]], Australian director
* [[Shannon O'Neill (comedian)]], American comedian
* [[Shannon O'Neill (politician)]] (born 1937), Canadian politician
* [[Shannon Osika]] (born 1993), American middle-distance runner
* [[Shannon Purser]] (born 1997), American actress
* [[Shannon Ray]] (born 1995), American sprinter
* [[Shannon Richardson]] (born 1977), American actress and convicted felon
* [[Shannon Spruill]] (1975–2021), American professional wrestler, wrestling manager and actress performing as Daffney
* [[Shannon C. Stimson]] (born 1951), American political theorist
* [[Shannon C. Stimson]] (born 1951), American political theorist
* [[Shannon Tweed]], (born 1957), Canadian actress
* [[Shannon Stubbs]] (born 1979), Canadian politician
* [[Shannon Walker]] (born 1965), American physicist and astronaut
* [[Shannon Tweed]] (born 1957), Canadian actress
* [[Shannon Arrum Williams]] (born 1998), Korean pop singer
* [[Shannon Walker]] (born 1965), American astronaut and physicist
⚫
* [[Shannon Webb]] (born 1999), American theatre manager
* [[Shannon Whirry]], American actor
* [[Shannon Whirry]], American actor
* [[Shannon Arrum Williams]] (born 1998), Korean singer


==Men==
==Men==
* [[Shannon Bennett]] (born 1975), Australian chef and author
* [[Shannon Bennett]] (born 1975), Australian chef and author
* [[Shannon Birchall]], Australian born musician
* [[Shannon Birchall]], Australian born musician
* [[Shannon Boatman]] (born 1984), Canadian football player
* [[Shannon Blunt]], American radar engineer
* [[Shannon Boatman]] (born 1984), Canadian football player
* [[Shannon Breen]] (born 1989), American football player
* [[Shannon Breen]] (born 1989), American football player
* [[Shannon Boyd]], (born 1992), Australian football player
* [[Shannon Boyd]] (born 1992), Australian football player
* [[Shannon Boyd-Bailey McCune]] (1913–1993), American geographer
* [[Shannon Boyd-Bailey McCune]] (1913–1993), American geographer
* [[Shannon Briggs]] (born 1971), American professional boxer
* [[Shannon Briggs]] (born 1971), American professional boxer
* [[Shannon Brown]] (born 1985), American Basketball player
* [[Shannon Brown]] (born 1985), American Basketball player
* [[Shannon Breen]] (born 1989), American football player
* [[Shannon Breen]] (born 1989), American football player
* [[Shannon Clavelle]] (born 1973), American
* [[Shannon Clavelle]] (born 1973), American football player
* [[Shannon Cole]] (born 1984), Australian NJ football player
* [[Shannon Cole]] (born 1984), Australian NJ football player
* [[Shannon Corcoran]] (born 1971), American football player
* [[Shannon Corcoran]] (born 1971), American football player
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* [[Shannon Dallas]] (born 1977), Australian skier
* [[Shannon Dallas]] (born 1977), Australian skier
* [[Shannon Denton]], American storyteller
* [[Shannon Denton]], American storyteller
* [[Richard Shannon Hoon]], rock musician from [[Indiana]]
* [[Shannon Hegarty]] (born 1979), Australian rugby league player
* [[Richard Shannon Hoon]], rock musician from Indiana
* [[Shannon Leto]] (born 1970), American drummer
* [[Shannon Leto]] (born 1970), American drummer
* [[Shannon Mitchell]] (born 1972), American football player
* [[Shannon Mitchell]] (born 1972), American football player
* [[Shannon Nevin]] (born 1976), Australian rugby league player
* [[Shannon Noll]] (born 1975), Australian singer
* [[Shannon Noll]] (born 1975), Australian singer
* [[Shannon Sharpe]] (born 1968), American football player
* [[Shannon Sharpe]] (born 1968), American football player
* [[Shannon Charles Thomas]] (1971–2005), American murderer
* [[Shannon Charles Thomas]] (1971–2005), American murderer
* [[Shannon Wakeman]] (born 1990), Australian rugby league player
* [[Shannon Wheeler]], American cartoonist
* [[Shannon Wheeler]], American cartoonist
* [[Shannon Zimmerman]] (born 1972), American politician
* [[Shannon Zimmerman]] (born 1972), American politician
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Given name}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Shannon (given name)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shannon (given name)}}

Latest revision as of 12:54, 30 July 2024

Shannon
Pronunciation/ˈʃænən/ SHAN-ən
GenderFemale (Ireland)
Unisex (America, Australia)
Language(s)Irish
Origin
Meaning"wise river"
Region of originIreland
Other names
Alternative spellingSionainn, Seanan, Siannon, Shannen, Shanon, Shannan
Variant form(s)Shan, Shana, Shanna
Nickname(s)Shan, Non
DerivedSionainn

Shannon is an Irish name, Anglicised from Sionainn. Alternative spellings include Shannen, Shanon, Shannan, Seanan, and Siannon. The variant Shanna is an Anglicisation of Sionna.

Sionainn derives from the Irish name Abha na tSionainn for the River Shannon. Because the suffix ain indicates a diminutive in Irish, the name is sometimes mistranslated as 'little wise one', but means 'possessor of wisdom'.

Some derive the denomination of Shannon (Irish: Sionnain) from the phrase sean-amhan or "old river."[1] Another reported derivation is from Ó Seanaigh, "descendant of Seanach", which yielded the surnames Shanahan and Shannon.[2]

Namesake

[edit]

The name Sionainn alludes to Sionna, a goddess in Irish mythology whose name means 'possessor of wisdom'. She is the namesake and matron of Sionainn, the River Shannon. The Shannon is the longest river in Ireland[3] and in the British Isles.[4]

Sionainn is one of seven rivers of knowledge said to flow from Connla's Well, the well of wisdom in the Celtic Otherworld (the realm of the dead). Legends vary about the creation of the river, but they all recount the drowning of the Sionna, granddaughter of the great sea god Lir, usually at an undersea well. [5]

According to the legend, nine sacred hazel (or, by some accounts, rowan) trees grow near the well, and drop their bright red fruit in it and on the ground.[6][7] In the well live the Salmon of Knowledge, whose wisdom comes from eating this fruit. By eating the fruit or one of the salmon, one can share in this wisdom.[8]

Shortened forms

[edit]

Shana and Shanna are familiar diminutives or forms of Shannon[9] or Sionna.

Popularity

[edit]

In the United States, the name first appeared on the Social Security Administration's list in 1881 for males.[10] During the 1970s, American parents began to confer the name on boys and girls alike. It was during this time that the name's popularity peaked in the United States. In the 1990 United States Census, Shannon was the 317th most common name for American males.[citation needed]

Women

[edit]

Men

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Wood, Thomas. An Inquiry concerning the Primitive Inhabitants of Ireland. London, 1821. 117. Print.
  2. ^ "Shannon Name Meaning & Origin". Baby Name Wizard. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  3. ^ Campbell, Mike. "Shannon". Behind the Name. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  4. ^ Cooper, Aiveen (2011). The River Shannon: A Journey Down Ireland's Longest River. Cork: Collins Press. p. 6. ISBN 978-1-84889-107-4. OCLC 751791624.
  5. ^ Bulik, Mark. The Sons of Molly Maguire: The Irish Roots of America's First Labor War. Fordham University Press, 2015. Print.
  6. ^ Domhnaill, Fadó. Tales of Lesser Known Irish History. Leicestershire, UK: Matador, 2013.
  7. ^ Fuchs, Elinor; Chaudhuri, Una, eds. (2002). Land/Scape/Theater. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. p. 65. ISBN 0-472-06720-6. OCLC 49618732. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  8. ^ O'Grady, Standish (1878). History of Ireland: The Heroic Period. Library of English Literature. London: Sampson, Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington. OCLC 28088025.
  9. ^ Lansky, Bruce. 10,000 Baby Names. New York, New York: Simon & Schuster, 1985. 65. Print.
  10. ^ popular name list
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