One of the questions I’m asked most often is how to pronounce my name.
Siôn (pronounced ‘Shawn’ /ʃɔːn/) is a Welsh/Cymraeg form of the name John and is typically pronounced similarly to ‘Shaun’ in English or Seán in Irish. As a proud Welshman, I’ve always appreciated the connection my name has to Wales/Cymru and my Welsh roots.
This page answers some of the most common questions people ask about the spelling, pronunciation and history of my name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the ^ or “hat” over the ô called?
A: It’s called a circumflex. In some languages, it is placed over a vowel to indicate contraction, length or a particular quality. In Welsh, the circumflex is known as a to bach (‘little roof’) and is used to indicate that a vowel is pronounced longer than it otherwise would be. The circumflex is a distinctive feature of written Welsh and an important part of the language’s orthography.
Q: Using a PC (Windows), how do I type the letter ô?
A: Using the number pad (on an extended keypad), ensure Num Lock is turned on. Next, hold the Alt key and press 1, 4, 7 on the number pad, then release the Alt key.
Tip: Some laptops have a Function (Fn) key that enables a number pad on a compact keyboard.
Q: Using a PC (Windows), how do I type the caplital letter Ô?
A: Using the number pad (on an extended keypad), ensure Num Lock is turned on. Next, hold the Alt key and press 0, 2, 1, 2 on the number pad, then release the Alt key. Alternatively, use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + ^, then type O.
Q: Using an Mac (macOS), how do I type the ô character?
A: Press Option + I together, then press O.
Tip: The Alt key is often referred to as the Option key on a Mac.
Additional Information
Shop is spelt Siop in Welsh
See the BBC Wales website for more about Cymru/Wales, society and culture:
NOTE: the www.siôn.com domain name points to www.sjlewis.com
