UK girl's name
Sheona
A feminine name of Scottish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Sheona is a girl's name in the UK records.
We estimate that about 72 living people in the UK are called Sheona. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sheona ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #611 in 1996.
- • About 72 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sheona as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
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Births in -
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Peak year
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Estimated living
72
2026
Meaning
What does Sheona mean?
The name Sheona is a Scottish Gaelic name with roots dating back to the 5th century. It is derived from the Old Gaelic words "sìth" meaning peace, and "ona" meaning fire or radiance. The name is believed to have originated from the Scottish Highlands and Islands, where Gaelic was the predominant language.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sheona can be found in the ancient Book of Deer, a 9th century manuscript that contains the oldest surviving examples of Gaelic writing. The name is also mentioned in various Scottish clan histories and genealogical records from the Middle Ages.
In the 12th century, Sheona of Islay, a noblewoman from the Scottish Hebrides, was renowned for her leadership during a time of conflict. She is celebrated in traditional Scottish ballads and tales for her bravery and wisdom.
During the 16th century, Sheona MacLeod, born in 1520, was a renowned poet and songwriter from the Isle of Skye. Her works, which captured the spirit of the Scottish Highlands, were widely celebrated and preserved through oral tradition.
In the 17th century, Sheona Cameron, born in 1635, was a notable figure in the Jacobite risings. She played a crucial role in supporting the cause of the Stuart monarchy and her exploits were recorded in various historical accounts.
Sheona Grant, born in 1780, was a prominent figure in the Scottish Enlightenment. She was a philosopher and educator who advocated for women's education and made significant contributions to the intellectual discourse of her time.
Throughout its history, the name Sheona has maintained a strong connection to Scottish culture and heritage. Its enduring presence in literature, folklore, and historical accounts reflects its deep roots and significance within the Gaelic tradition.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Geography
Where Sheona is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Sheona. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Sheona ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #611 in 1996.
Across the UK
Sheona in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#611 in 1996
14 years of NRS records, 74 total registered
Related
Names similar to Sheona
- Sophie 103,803
- Sophia 46,936
- Scarlett 34,261
- Sienna 32,418
- Sofia 29,136
- Sarah 27,961
- Shannon 25,510
- Summer 24,167
- Sara 14,205
- Skye 13,654
- Samantha 12,697
- Stephanie 9,309
FAQ
Sheona: questions and answers
What is the meaning and origin of Sheona?
A feminine name of Scottish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Where is Sheona most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Sheona ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #611 in 1996. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.