Sion first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Sion has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Sion

A Welsh name meaning "sun, sunny" or "gift of God".

Popularity of Sion by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Sion is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 90% of people named Sion being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 31 male babies and 5 female babies born with the name Sion.

YearMale CountFemale Count
2024315
2023430
2022425
2021330
2020370
2019380
2018210
2017188
2016186
2015220
2014250
2013200
2012300
2011270
2010220
2009230
20081512
2007165
2006185
2005150
2004179
2003156
2002237
2001250
20002010
1999137
199870
199660
199550
1994130
199260
199160
198860
198660
198550
198070
197990
197860
197780
197650
197580

The history of the first name Sion

The name Sion has its origins in Ancient Greek and Hebrew cultures, dating back to the 5th century BC. It is derived from the Greek word "Σιών" (Siōn), which means "lofty" or "exalted". This word was initially used to refer to Mount Zion, a hill in Jerusalem that was of great religious and historical significance to the Jewish people.

In the Hebrew Bible, Mount Zion is mentioned numerous times and is closely associated with the city of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. The name Sion became a symbol of the Jewish people's spiritual and national aspirations, and it was often used metaphorically to represent the entire nation of Israel.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sion can be found in the Book of Psalms, where it is mentioned in Psalm 48:2, "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King." This verse praises the beauty and significance of Mount Zion and its association with the city of Jerusalem.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Sion. One of the most famous was Sion of Cyrene, a Jewish philosopher who lived in the 1st century AD. He is believed to have been one of the earliest converts to Christianity and is mentioned in the New Testament as the man who helped Jesus carry his cross.

Another notable figure was Sion of Alexandria, a 6th-century Coptic Christian bishop and writer. He is known for his work on the history of the Coptic Church and his efforts to promote the use of the Coptic language in religious services.

In the 12th century, there was Sion of Siena, an Italian Catholic saint and mystic. He is remembered for his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and his visions and mystical experiences, which were recorded in his writings.

During the Renaissance period, Sion Taggesio (1492-1554) was an Italian humanist scholar and poet who wrote extensively on classical literature and philosophy.

In more recent times, Sion Sono (born 1961) is a Japanese filmmaker and poet known for his avant-garde and experimental works, exploring themes of violence, sexuality, and societal taboos.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Sion, a name that has its roots in ancient civilizations and has been carried forward through various cultures and religious traditions.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Sion was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Sion, please contact us.

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