What Does the Name Sidney Mean In the Bible?

What Does the Name Sidney Mean In the Bible?

In the Bible the name Sidney has a generic meaning that comes from the roots of a few Old English words. It means “wide meadow”, or “wide island”, as well as “south of the water”. Translated into Hebrew the name means “grape presser’, which may have ties to the wine press and new wine which relates to Jesus.

We are all not blind to the power of a name. While they may be spelled differently, or may have different connotations in different cultures, they largely share a meaning or significance that is attached to them no matter what. Sometimes, this meaning may even rub off on the person who is given the name– and it is often the hope of many parents that this will happen! In some circumstances, the meaning of a name may differ slightly from its common meaning when you look at its meaning in the Bible, also known as its biblical meaning. One example of a name like this is Sidney. Take a look below to learn more about the name Sidney. We will go into its meaning, its significance, and how they relate to its biblical meaning and importance in the Christian Bible.

Meaning of the Name Sidney

Now, you may be wondering, what does Sidney mean, anyway? The name Sidney has a generic meaning that comes from the roots of a few Old English words. It means “wide meadow”, or “wide island”, as well as “south of the water”. This is specifically due to the Old English root words of sidan and eg. However, in relation to the Bible, it has another meaning. It can also be translated to mean “from Saint-Denis”. This is because, in French culture, Sidney was once the Norman name for Saint-Denis. For this reason, the name can be a connection to Saint-Denis if it is chosen as a baby name. It is also known as a Hebrew name. Sidney can be used for either boys or girls, though sometimes you may see it spelled in slightly different ways. 

Further Reading

Significance of the Name Sidney

As mentioned above, the name Sidney is a Hebrew name and was also the Norman name in France that was used for Saint-Denis. Saint-Denis was a Christian saint who was a martyr in the 3rd century in France. He was a bishop who was martyred for his faith, along with his cohorts Rusticus and Eleutherius.

All three were sentenced to death by beheading. It is said that, after Saint Denis was killed, he then picked up his head from the ground and preached a sermon on repentance as he walked many miles!

He is considered to be the patron saint of the country of France. These days, there is also the suburb of Saint-Denis in Paris, which is placed at the site of the Saint’s burial.

Sidney can therefore be a name with a very special biblical meaning– if the story of Saint Denis resonates with you, choosing Sidney as a baby name can be a great way to pass along your faith to your child. 

Name History of the Name Sidney

The name Sidney does also have a long history. As mentioned above, it dates all the way back to the 3rd century where Saint Denis lived, because it was the Norman name for him. It also comes from some Old English words, which date the name as well. These days, the name has become more common as a baby name among both boy and girl children. However, it is more commonly seen as being spelled Sydney, rather than Sidney. Part of this boom can be attributed to some famous Sidneys or Sydneys in popular culture. One of the celebrities with this name is Sydney Sweeney, the American actress who stars on the hit show “Euphoria”. It can sometimes be seen as a last name as well. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sidney mean in the Bible?

Names have their own special meaning, and there are also names that have a particular meaning when found in or related to the Christian Bible– this is often referred to as their biblical meaning. The name Sidney is a Hebrew name that means “wide meadow”, or “from St. Denis”. It is often seen as a girl’s name, but can actually be used for either girls or boys. Sometimes the spelling of the name may differ.

What is the meaning of the name Sidney?

Sidney comes from an Old English word, sidan, which means “wide”, and eg, which could be translated to either “island in a river” or “riverside meadow”. Some other, similar translations are “wide island” or “south of the water”. In addition to this, the name Sidney was the Norman name for Saint-Denis in France. Due to this, Sidney can also be translated to “from Saint-Denis”. It is also a Hebrew name, is directly related to the Bible and to religion.

Is Sidney a good name?

Whether or not Sidney is a good name will depend on what you consider to be a good name, and also what you are looking for in a name. Sidney can be considered to be a unisex name and can be used for either gender, so it can fit whether you are expecting a little girl or a little boy! It is also a slightly more unique and unusual name, though it is still classic and biblical, too. If you are looking for a name that is not quite as common, but you still want a name that has history and significance, Sidney can be a good choice for that! 

What culture is the name Sidney from?

The name Sidney hails from a few different places, and it does not solely belong to one culture. For instance, it has English roots, but it is also a Hebrew name. Plus, it was the name for Saint-Denis in France, so it also hails from France! The roots of the word itself largely come from two Old English words– sidan and eg. Sidan means “wide”, while eg means “riverside meadow” or “island in a river”. In both its French and English cultures, the name Sidney can be used as a unisex name, meaning that it can be given to either boys or girls!

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About the author

Lucas is a former worship pastor and Hillsong College graduate (2005). He has spoken at churches, conferences and worship events and loves inspiring people to be more than just a Sunday service-goer. He founded 15 Degrees NE and is one of our leading authors.

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