Meaning & History
Siôr is a Welsh masculine given name, equivalent to the English name George. It is pronounced /ʃoːr/ in Welsh. Variants include Siors and Siorus.
The name George is derived from the Greek name Γεώργιος (Georgios), which comes from the Greek word γεωργός (georgos) meaning "farmer, earthworker," itself from γῆ (ge) "earth" and ἔργον (ergon) "work." The name gained widespread popularity due to the cult of Saint George, a 3rd-century Roman soldier from Cappadocia who was martyred under Emperor Diocletian. Legend later credited him with slaying a dragon, a story that became iconic in medieval art. Returning crusaders brought his veneration to Western Europe, and he became the patron saint of England, Portugal, Catalonia, and Aragon.
In Wales, the name Siôr arose as a natural adaptation of George into the Welsh language, following typical phonological patterns. While still a distinctively Welsh form, it shares the broader European heritage of a name borne by numerous saints, kings, and historical figures. The name is not mutable in Welsh grammar.
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Siôr