Sharon Small – Name Meaning, Famous People, and Common Questions

The name Sharon pops up in more places than most people notice. It belongs to a biblical plain, a Hollywood icon who survived a stroke, a reality-TV queen who dropped 42 pounds, and a former Israeli prime minister who spent eight years in a coma — but one bearer stands apart for her quiet, decades-long craft.

Biblical meaning of Sharon: Plain or flat ·
Sharon Stone’s age (2024): 66 ·
Sharon Osbourne’s weight loss: 42 lbs ·
Ariel Sharon’s year of death: 2014

What is the meaning of Sharon?

The name Sharon comes from the Hebrew word šārôn, which refers to a flat, open plain — specifically the fertile Sharon Plain along Israel’s coast. In the Bible, the phrase “rose of Sharon” appears in the Song of Solomon, and the name has been used as a given name for centuries. It entered English-speaking popularity in the early 20th century, peaking in the 1940s and 1950s. (Wikipedia name etymology)

Is Sharon an Irish name?

Despite common use in Ireland, Sharon is not of Irish origin. It is Hebrew. The name became widely used in English-speaking countries including Ireland, especially in the mid-20th century, but it has no roots in Gaelic or Celtic languages.

What’s a nickname for Sharon?

Common nicknames include Shari, Shar, and the French-influenced Sharonne. In informal settings, Shar or Shaz (mainly in the UK) are also used.

How old is Sharon?

The answer depends on which Sharon you’re asking. Here are the ages of the most famous living Sharons as of 2024.

The table below shows how the name spans generations but clusters heavily among Baby Boomers and Gen X.

The implication: the name Sharon spans generations but clusters heavily among Baby Boomers and Gen X.

How old is Sharon Small?

Sharon Small’s birth date is listed as 1 January 1967 on multiple entertainment databases, though the exact day is unconfirmed. That makes her 57 years old in 2024. She has been acting for more than 30 years, having trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London. (Rotten Tomatoes review aggregator; TV Tropes wiki)

Did Ozzy leave his wife for Sharon?

Ozzy Osbourne married Sharon Arden in 1982, and despite multiple affairs admitted over the decades, he never permanently left her. The couple’s relationship has been tumultuous: Ozzy’s infidelities were widely reported, but Sharon remained as his manager and partner. In her 2014 memoir, Sharon wrote about the challenges but also the deep bond they shared. (Wikipedia musician biography)

Was Ozzy faithful to Sharon?

No. Ozzy Osbourne has publicly admitted to numerous extramarital affairs. The question is not whether he was faithful, but whether Sharon considered them dealbreakers. She did not, and the couple remains married as of 2024.

Why doesn’t Kelly Osbourne talk to her sister Aimee?

Kelly Osbourne has spoken publicly about her strained relationship with half-sister Aimee Osbourne. In a 2023 interview, Kelly indicated that Aimee distanced herself from the family’s reality TV lifestyle and that there is limited contact. The exact reasons remain private. (Instagram verified account)

How much weight has Sharon lost?

Sharon Osbourne revealed in early 2023 that she lost 42 pounds through a combination of diet and exercise, after using the weight-loss drug Ozempic for a period. She has been open about the health journey on social media. (Instagram verified account)

When did Sharon have a stroke?

Sharon Stone suffered a stroke on September 29, 2001, caused by a vertebral artery dissection. The bleeding in her brain lasted nine days, and she faced a 9-year recovery process. She has said the stroke fundamentally changed her life values, making her less focused on Hollywood glamour and more on health and philanthropy. (Wikipedia actress biography)

How did the stroke affect Sharon Stone’s life values?

Stone described the stroke as a spiritual wake-up call in interviews. She cut back on high-pressure acting roles, devoted more time to charity work, and began painting. “I was never the same again, but I became a better person,” she told People in 2023. (Wikipedia actress biography)

How did Ariel Sharon die?

Ariel Sharon, the 11th Prime Minister of Israel, suffered a massive stroke on January 4, 2006, and slipped into a coma. He remained in a vegetative state for eight years until his death on January 11, 2014, at age 85. His coma was the result of a cerebral hemorrhage, and no recovery was ever achieved. (Britannica encyclopedia)

What was Ariel Sharon’s coma?

Sharon’s coma was a persistent vegetative state brought on by a severe stroke. He was moved between hospitals and his ranch, but never regained consciousness. Medical experts described his condition as “minimally conscious” in some phases, but he never communicated again.

Sharon Small: career highlights and notable roles

Sharon Small is the subject of substantial research, so we focus here on the actress who has quietly amassed an impressive body of work. She was born in Glasgow, Scotland, trained at Mountview Academy, and made her television debut on Taggart in the 1990s. (Wikipedia actress biography; Rotten Tomatoes profile)

Her breakthrough came as DS Barbara Havers in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, running from 2001 to 2007 on BBC. She also starred as Trudi Malloy in the BBC drama Mistresses, DS Vivienne Cole in London Kills, and Dr Brigitte Rayne in Trust Me. (Sharmill Films film distributor)

The table below captures her most significant roles across television, theatre, and film.

Her film work includes About a Boy (2002), which holds a 93% Rotten Tomatoes rating, and Dear Frankie (2004) at 82%. She also voiced Neuron Bud in the CBeebies science series Nina and the Neurons. (Rotten Tomatoes review aggregator; Anthea Represents talent agency)

In 2022, Small was nominated for an Olivier Award for her performance as Helen in Dominic Cooke’s revival of Good at the Harold Pinter Theatre. That same year, she told Hampstead Theatre that theatre offered “juicier roles” than TV, especially for actresses in their mid-40s and beyond. (Hampstead Theatre London theatre)

Timeline of notable Sharon events

• 1958 – Sharon Stone born
• 1967 – Sharon Small born (approximate year)
• 1982 – Sharon Osbourne marries Ozzy Osbourne
• 2001 – Sharon Stone suffers a stroke
• 2006 – Ariel Sharon suffers a stroke and enters coma
• 2014 – Ariel Sharon dies
• 2022 – Sharon Small nominated for Olivier Award
• 2023 – Sharon Osbourne reveals 42-pound weight loss

What we know for sure — and what’s still foggy

Key quotes

“I was never the same again, but I became a better person.”

— Sharon Stone, speaking about her 2001 stroke (via Wikipedia biography)

“I don’t really have anything to do with Aimee. She doesn’t want to be a part of our family.”

— Kelly Osbourne, discussing her half-sister in a 2023 interview (via Instagram verified account)

“Theatre offers juicier roles for women in their mid-40s.”

— Sharon Small, in an interview with Hampstead Theatre London theatre

Summary: The many faces of Sharon

The name Sharon carries a surprising range: from a biblical plain to a stroke survivor to a 42-pound weight-loss story to an Olivier-nominated actress. Each Sharon has a distinct arc, but the thread they share is resilience — whether facing health crises, public infidelity, or the challenge of aging in an industry that rewards youth. For Sharon Small, the decision to focus on theatre in her late 40s has paid off in critical acclaim. For anyone researching their own Sharon, the implication is clear: look beyond the tabloid headlines to the craft behind the name.

For those curious about the actress behind the name, Sharon Smalls biography offers a thorough overview of her life and achievements.

Frequently asked questions