Sidonie

Sidonie is the French feminine form of Sidonius, a Latin name meaning "of Sidon." Sidon was an ancient Phoenician city, corresponding to modern-day Saida in Lebanon. The name Sidonius was borne by the 5th-century saint Sidonius Apollinaris, a bishop of Clermont, and its feminine forms have been used across Europe since the Middle Ages.

Notable Bearers

Several European royals and noblewomen have borne the name Sidonie or Sidonia. Sidonie of Bavaria (1488–1505) was the eldest daughter of Duke Albert IV of Bavaria-Munich and wife of Elector Palatine Louis V. Sidonie of Poděbrady (1449–1510) was a daughter of the King of Bohemia. Sidonie of Saxony (1518–1575) became Duchess of Brunswick-Lüneburg. Perhaps the most famous bearer is Sidonia von Borcke (1548–1620), a Pomeranian noblewoman executed for witchcraft in a notorious trial. In modern times, French film producer Sidonie Dumas (born 1967) and English harpist Sidonie Goossens (1899–2004) have carried the name.

Cultural Significance

The name Sidonia also appears in literature and legend. A fictional Sidonia is a legendary Jewish priest's daughter, referenced in various texts. In Slovakia, the form Sidónia has been used, while English uses the variant Sidony, which sometimes merges with the unrelated name Sidony from the Christian tradition (after the Holy Shroud name).

• Meaning:
  • From Sidonius, Latin "of Sidon" (ancient Phoenician city)
• Origin: Latin, via French
• Type
• Usage: French, Late Roman via Sidonia