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Original poster

How would you pronounce Shion? Boy or girl? What country do you think it's from?

30 replies

TepidCoffee · 02/02/2013 09:08

I know the answers btw :o

DH is very keen on Shion for DC2, just wanted to get some opinions from people not familiar with his culture.

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Ruprekt · 02/02/2013 09:10

Shy-onn

Egypt

IDontDoIroning · 02/02/2013 09:12

It it welsh? Sion is Welsh pronounced shun/ shawn so I would guess its similar

sleepyhead · 02/02/2013 09:15

Israeli/Hebrew? I'd assume it was pronounced Shy-on I think.

NotGoodNotBad · 02/02/2013 09:15

I'd go with SHY-en, boy, Israel.

Do I win?

scaevola · 02/02/2013 09:18

I'm not sure how you say it, but I think it's Japanese (seen written before).

Shee-an?

LifeIsBetterInFlipFlops · 02/02/2013 09:19

Shee-on, Israeli, boy's name?

QuietNinjaTardis · 02/02/2013 09:20

Pronounced how. It's written. Boys name and no idea where its from. What's the answer?

OlyRoller · 02/02/2013 09:22

Shy-on. Boy. American.

NowPlayingZone · 02/02/2013 09:26

It's a Japanese girls name meaning 'sound of the tide'.

Kinda makes me think of a tsunami!

NotGoodNotBad · 02/02/2013 09:52

OK, have looked it up. Am surprised.

EduCated · 02/02/2013 09:59

I would have gone for boy, Hebrew, pr Shon.

Original poster
TepidCoffee · 02/02/2013 10:14

Interesting NowPlaying.

It's a Japanese name, pronounced shee-on. Can be either a boys or girls name (in fact we only know boys with this name) depending on which characters you choose to write it with. This would also change the meaning (we probably wouldn't choose 'sound of the tide').

DH wants to use it as a boy's name.

Thoughts? I'm concerned that it sounds neither Japanese nor like a boy's name...

OP posts:
TanteRose · 02/02/2013 10:19

I too only know boys with this name (although it is used as a girls name too)

I have also seen it used with the pronunciation Shaun

NotGoodNotBad · 02/02/2013 10:27

I lived in Japan for 2 years and didn't guess it was a Japanese name! So I'd have to go with "No, doesn't sound Japanese."

Original poster
TepidCoffee · 02/02/2013 10:28

Would you say it's getting more popular in Japan, Tante? The people I know who've used it there have both been western with J husbands, and I can see it working. We're in the UK, though, and combined with DS1's name I reckon most people will think Hebrew/Israeli.

OP posts:
dappleton · 02/02/2013 10:29

i've never known anyone with this name or anything close, I would however assume your child was a boy called Shy-on and that you were a jewish family - I don't know why I make those assumptions but that was my thinking when i read your post.

Original poster
TepidCoffee · 02/02/2013 10:31

God this baby will remain nameless FOR EVER

Due in in 3.5 weeks. No agreements so far...

OP posts:
Original poster
TepidCoffee · 02/02/2013 10:31

FOREVER, even.

OP posts:
emjan · 02/02/2013 10:31

Looks like a Japanese name. I will pronounce it as She-on. Think is a boy

Original poster
TepidCoffee · 02/02/2013 10:33

Very good, emjan or did you peek?

OP posts:
CoteDAzur · 02/02/2013 11:01

OP - Sorry if this will spoil the name for you but thought you might like to know that "shee-on" in French is someone who is a pain in the ass. It's written "chiant" and comes from the verb "chier" (literally, to shit).

If there is any French connection at all, or if your boy might ever spend time in France or with French people, please choose another name.

TanteRose · 02/02/2013 13:15

Tepid its always been around (been here 20 years) - as you say, its good for international use (Shion/Sean)

there are not all that many children with the name, but it is not particularly "out there" IYSWIM

I like it Smile

are you aiming for Japanese-sounding boys names?

Original poster
TepidCoffee · 02/02/2013 16:39

Cote :o. No imminent danger of that, but good to know anyway.

Tante, our older son is a Noah (also popular with the international crowd) but we can't decide which direction to take with no2. Anything too Japanese might be confusing, but we'd like something the ILs can say and would let DS2 live in either country in future without feeling too 'out there'. Well, no more out there than mixed race kids are anyway in Japan Wink.

DH's suggestions are Sena, Shion or Leon, all of which I find problematic. I really like Ivan, Robin, Euan or Rowan, none of which Dh likes. We're at an impasse!

OP posts:
CheeseStrawWars · 02/02/2013 16:44

Sena sounds like senna i.e. laxative, imo. Shion I would pronounce "shy-on", and would guess of Arabic origin, but 'looks' male to me.

But if I saw "Shion" written down and was told it was Japanese I'd guess at "Shone" (as in "the sun shone") for pronunciation.

selsigfach · 02/02/2013 19:59

I'd think you wanted to go Welsh but couldn't spell Sion!
The French thing is v funny - definitely a good reason to go with another name. I like Ivan - goes well with Noah.