Hester vs Siobhán
Hester and Siobháncompared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.
Head to head
Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 1977, Hester was ranked #518 and Siobhán #30 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2024, Hester was ranked #2574 and Siobhán #3015 among girls in England and Wales.
Hester and Siobhán over time
Hester and Siobhán appear together in 1 published list, across 29 years of shared records. Siobhán held the stronger position in more years in 1 of them, Hester in 0.
The order between them changed and held in one of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Counted list by list. Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale in the same year, so those comparisons are real — but positions from different lists are not, so nothing here is combined into an overall standing.
How this pair is related
The relationship kinds these two qualify for, each under its own stated rule. Every one is drawn from a list they both appear in.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Girls within 2 years — Hester #916 in 1996, Siobhán #138 in 1996.
List by list
England and Wales · Girls29 shared years, 1996–2024
Hester held the stronger position in 10 of those years, Siobhán in 17.
Highest recorded here: Hester #916 in 1996, Siobhán #138 in 1996.
The order changed in 2023: Hester moved ahead. In 2022 they stood at #2888 and #2888; by 2023 that had become #1863 and #3598.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Hester #2574, Siobhán #3015.
Two names moving past each other in a ranking is a fact about the ranking. Namewise does not claim one name displaced the other, that families chose between them, or that either influenced the other — none of that is in this data.
Where to go next
Comparisons that share a name, a rule or a published list with this one. Each is an existing comparison page with its own evidence — nothing here says these pairs are alike.
Other comparisons involving Siobhán
Pairs where Siobhán shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Anna vs Siobhán
In 1964 they stood at #34 and #35 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2025 they were #26 and #885.
Anna · Siobhán · 57 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Maria vs Siobhán
In 1964 they stood at #33 and #35 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #74 and #885.
Maria · Siobhán · 57 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Nora vs Siobhán
In 1964 they stood at #30 and #35 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #76 and #885.
Nora · Siobhán · 57 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Siobhán vs Julia
In 1964 they stood at #35 and #42 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #885 and #118.
Siobhán · Julia · 57 shared years, 1964–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Hester | Siobhán |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | Shares the meaning of Joan/Jehanne: commonly interpreted as 'God is gracious'. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Irish |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | /ʃɪˈvɔːn/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Chevonne, Shivaun |
| Recorded regional usage | GB-ENW, IE | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | England and Wales · Girls #2574 (2024) | Republic of Ireland #90 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | Not yet recorded | 90/100 |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 88/100 | 82/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 60/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | high |
What the data shows
- Siobhán has a recorded origin (Irish); Hester does not have one recorded yet.
- Hester has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Siobhán.
- A meaning is recorded for Siobhán; Hester doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, IE.
- The available evidence gives Hester a "medium" Data Confidence level and Siobhán a "high" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
How each name got here
Hester
Popularity journey
First recorded1996
First recorded at #916 among girls in England and Wales in 1996 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
England and Wales · Girls
Most recent2024
Most recently recorded at #2574 among girls in England and Wales, in 2024.
England and Wales · Girls
Siobhán
Popularity journey
First recorded1964
First recorded at #35 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1964–2025
Highest recorded position: #15 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 1971 (recorded 1964–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #90 in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland