Sidney
Sidney is an unisex name of Old English origin, meaning “Wide island; riverside meadow”.
| Meaning | Wide island; riverside meadow |
|---|---|
| Gender | Unisex |
| Origin | Old English |
| Pronunciation | SID-nee |
| Tradition | Modern & Classic |
| Used in | United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada |
Meaning and origin of Sidney
Sidney began as an English surname from a place name, usually explained from Old English sid, 'wide', and eg, 'island' or 'land by water', so 'wide riverside meadow'. A popular but unproven story derives it instead from Saint-Denis in France. The poet and courtier Sir Philip Sidney made the surname illustrious, and it became a given name from the eighteenth century. The Australian city of Sydney, spelled differently, was named after Lord Sydney.
Is Sidney a religious name?
Sidney has no religious meaning; it is an English surname name. The Saint-Denis story would link it to a French saint, but historians generally doubt it.
How popular is Sidney?
Used for both boys and girls in English-speaking countries; Sydney is now the more common spelling for girls.
Gifts with the name Sidney
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Spellings and variants of Sidney
Names similar to Sidney
More unisex names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sidney mean?
Sidney means 'Wide island; riverside meadow'. It is of Old English origin.
Does Sidney have a religious meaning?
Sidney has no religious meaning; it is an English surname name. The Saint-Denis story would link it to a French saint, but historians generally doubt it.
How do you pronounce Sidney?
Sidney is pronounced SID-nee.
Is Sidney a boy or girl name?
Sidney is used for both boys and girls.