Shannon


Shannon wasn't really used much as a first name until the 1940s. Before then it was an Irish surname, an anglicization used for the names Ó Seanncháin ("old; ancient" often found as Shanahan & Shanaghan), Ó Seanáin or Ó Sionáin (often found Shinane), or Mac Giolla t-Seanáin ("servant of St. Seanáin", also found as Giltenan and Gilsenan).

The Shannon is also the longest river in Ireland (Irish: Abha na Sionainne, an tSionainn, or an tSionna) as well as Ireland's biggest airport. The Shannon the river's name probably comes from a Celtic goddess; many rivers in Ireland derive their name from Celtic goddesses. This one may be an aspect of the goddess Danu, or be connected to a Proto-Indo-European water goddess.
See Also: Shannon (boy), Senan

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