Sheridan

Meaning of Sheridan

Sheridan is an Anglicized derivative of the Gaelic surname Ó Sirideáin, originally denoting “descendant of Sirideán,” a personal name rooted in an Old Irish term for “searcher.” Adopted as a unisex given name in Anglo-American contexts since the early twentieth century, it conveys both cultural sophistication and a sense of martial distinction, recalling the playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan and the American Civil War general Philip Henry Sheridan. Pronunciation varies across the Anglophone world—British SHAYR-i-dan (/ʃeər ɪ dən/), American SHER-i-dan (/ˈʃɛr ɪ dæn/) and an additional English form (/ʃərˈaɪdn/)—each iteration reflecting subtle regional inflections. While its prevalence remains modest, generally appearing near the nine-hundredth rank in recent United States registrations, it sustains an enduring presence that appeals to parents in search of a name of measured elegance and historical resonance.