Julia vs Siobhán
Julia 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.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2019, Julia was ranked #94 and Siobhán #336 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Julia was ranked #118 and Siobhán #885 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2024, Julia was ranked #223 and Siobhán #3015 among girls in England and Wales.
Julia and Siobhán over time
Julia and Siobhán appear together in 3 published lists, across 99 years of shared records. Julia held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Siobhán in 1.
The order between them changed and held in 3 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Siobhán reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, and Julia in none. Each position is a place inside its own list, so this compares when they peaked and never how high.
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.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2005, Julia moved ahead of Siobhán in Republic of Ireland · Girls — #149 and #97 the year before became #97 and #117.
- Longest-running competitions
Julia and Siobhán were both ranked in Republic of Ireland · Girls for 57 years, from 1964 to 2025, ending at #118 and #885.
- Started together, ended far apart
In 1964 they stood at #42 and #35 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #118 and #885.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls57 shared years, 1964–2025
Julia held the stronger position in 16 of those years, Siobhán in 41.
Highest recorded here: Julia #31 in 2009, Siobhán #15 in 1971.
The order changed in 2005: Julia moved ahead. In 2004 they stood at #149 and #97; by 2005 that had become #97 and #117.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Julia #118, Siobhán #885.
England and Wales · Girls29 shared years, 1996–2024
Julia held the stronger position in 23 of those years, Siobhán in 6.
Highest recorded here: Julia #77 in 2010, Siobhán #138 in 1996.
The order changed in 2003: Julia moved ahead. In 2002 they stood at #333 and #313; by 2003 that had become #281 and #423.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Julia #223, Siobhán #3015.
Northern Ireland · Girls13 shared years, 1997–2019
Julia held the stronger position in 9 of those years, Siobhán in 4.
Highest recorded here: Julia #69 in 2008, Siobhán #133 in 1997.
The order changed in 2005: Julia moved ahead. In 2004 they stood at #316 and #273; by 2005 that had become #226 and #278.
Most recent shared year, 2019: Julia #94, Siobhán #336.
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.
Side by side
| Field | Julia | Siobhán |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | The feminine form of the Roman family name Julius — borne by Julia Augusta and Julia the Elder, and by an early Christian martyr and patron saint of Corsica. | Shares the meaning of Joan/Jehanne: commonly interpreted as 'God is gracious'. |
| Origin | The feminine counterpart within the Roman gens Julia, the family name Julius belonged to | Irish |
| Pronunciation | /ˈjʉː.lɪ.a/ | /ʃɪˈvɔːn/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Chevonne, Shivaun |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | Norway · Girls #85 (2025) | Republic of Ireland #90 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | 90/100 |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 94/100 | 82/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | high |
What the data shows
- Julia is recorded with a The feminine counterpart within the Roman gens Julia, the family name Julius belonged to origin, while Siobhán is recorded with a Irish origin.
- Julia has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Siobhán.
- Julia's recorded meaning differs from Siobhán's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE.
- The available evidence gives Julia 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
Julia
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #345 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1970–2001
Highest recorded position: #26 among girls in New Zealand, in 1983 (recorded 1970–2001).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #85 among girls in Norway, in 2025.
Norway · 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