Sharon
Ariel Sharon (Hebrew: אֲרִיאֵל שָׁרוֹן; né Scheinerman; 26 February 1928 – 11 January 2014) was an Israeli general and politician who played pivotal roles in the nation's defense during multiple Arab-Israeli wars and served as its 11th prime minister from 2001 to 2006, when a severe stroke induced a coma from which he did not recover.[1][2][3] Born in the moshav of Kfar Malal to Jewish immigrants from Belarus, Sharon joined the Haganah paramilitary organization at age 14 and participated in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, where he was wounded while commanding a platoon.[3][2] Over a 25-year military career culminating in the rank of major general, he led armored divisions in the 1956 Sinai Campaign, commanded forces against Egyptian positions in the 1967 Six-Day War, and orchestrated the critical IDF crossing of the Suez Canal during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, a maneuver that encircled the Egyptian Third Army and shifted the conflict's momentum in Israel's favor.[2][1] Sharon's command of the elite Unit 101 in the early 1950s involved reprisal raids against Palestinian fedayeen infiltrators, including the 1953 Qibya operation, which retaliated for an attack killing an Israeli woman and her two children by destroying homes and resulting in 69 Jordanian deaths, drawing international condemnation but aligning with Israel's doctrine of deterrence against cross-border terrorism.[4][2] As defense minister in 1982, he oversaw Israel's invasion of Lebanon to expel PLO forces, but the subsequent Sabra and Shatila massacre—perpetrated by allied Phalangist militias against Palestinian refugees—prompted the Israeli Kahan Commission to attribute "personal responsibility" to Sharon for failing to anticipate and prevent the risks, leading to his resignation from the post amid domestic and global scrutiny often intensified by adversarial narratives in Western and Arab media.[5][2] Transitioning to politics as a founding Likud member, Sharon held ministerial portfolios including agriculture, where he expanded West Bank settlements, and foreign affairs, before his 2001 landslide election as prime minister amid the Second Intifada's violence.[3][1] His tenure emphasized counterterrorism measures, such as the West Bank security barrier, which empirical data later correlated with sharp declines in suicide bombings, and culminated in the 2005 unilateral Gaza disengagement, evacuating all Israeli settlements and military installations there to consolidate defenses and preempt demographic pressures, despite fierce opposition from his political base.[6][2] Sharon then broke from Likud to form the centrist Kadima party, positioning himself as a pragmatic realist willing to cede territory for strategic depth, though his incapacitation halted further initiatives.[1][3]Origins and Etymology
Hebrew Linguistic Roots
The Hebrew term שָׁרוֹן (šārôn), transliterated as Sharon, functions primarily as a noun denoting a "plain" or "level place," reflecting its application to flat, open terrain in ancient Israelite geography.[7] This usage appears in biblical texts to describe expansive coastal lowlands, such as the region between Mount Carmel and Jaffa, emphasizing its even topography rather than elevation or ruggedness.[8] Linguistically, šārôn is classified as a masculine proper noun in Hebrew morphology, with its form suggesting an adaptation suited for locative reference, distinct from more abstract or elevated descriptors in Semitic languages.[9] Etymologically, scholars derive šārôn from the root ישׁר (y-š-r), associated with the verb יָשַׁר (yāšar), meaning "to be straight," "even," or "level," implying a landscape free of undulations.[10] This root appears in related biblical terms like מִישׁוֹר (mîšôr), another word for "plain" or "steppe," underscoring a shared conceptual framework for denoting horizontal expanses conducive to agriculture and settlement.[11] Alternative interpretations link it to שרר (š-r-r), connoting firmness or stiffness, potentially evoking armored rigidity akin to unyielding flatland, though this is less dominant in primary lexical analyses.[10] Pre-biblical Semitic influences, such as Akkadian terms for forested areas, may inform the name's environmental connotations but do not alter its core Hebrew sense of level terrain, as evidenced in onomastic studies of Iron Age place names.[12]Biblical Allusions
The name Sharon (Hebrew: שָׁרוֹן, šārôn) derives from biblical references to a coastal plain in ancient Israel, denoting a level, fertile expanse that symbolizes abundance and restoration. In 1 Chronicles 5:16, Sharon is identified as expansive pasturelands inhabited by the tribe of Gad, extending from Gilead and Bashan to their borders, underscoring its role as a resource-rich territory.[13] Isaiah 65:10 envisions Sharon as a future fold for flocks and a place of repose for herds, tied to divine favor for those seeking God, reflecting themes of promised prosperity.[14] A prominent poetic allusion appears in Song of Solomon 2:1, where the female speaker self-identifies as "the rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys," drawing on the region's reputed floral beauty to evoke humility amid allure. This phrase, ḥăḇaṣṣeleṯ haššārôn, has been linked to various plants like crocuses or narcissi native to the plain's mild climate, though its precise botanical referent remains debated among scholars; it serves as a metaphor for delicate yet resilient beauty in the Song's erotic and allegorical framework.[15] In Jewish exegesis, it often represents the beloved's modesty; Christian interpreters, such as in Hosea Ballou's 19th-century typology, have allegorized it as Christ's incarnation amid human frailty, though this extends beyond the text's primary amatory context.[16] Prophetic texts contrast Sharon's fertility with desolation to illustrate judgment and renewal. Isaiah 33:9 laments Sharon's reduction to barrenness akin to the Arabah desert amid national calamity, paralleling the withering of Lebanon, Bashan, and Carmel.[17] Conversely, Isaiah 35:2 celebrates the "excellency of Carmel and Sharon" in a vision of eschatological blooming, where the wilderness rejoices in glory, symbolizing God's transformative power over parched lands.[13] Joshua 12:18 mentions "the king of Aphek in Sharon" among conquered Canaanite rulers, denoting La-Sharon as a localized district near the plain.[18] These allusions collectively imbue Sharon with connotations of verdant flatlands, etymologically tied to the Hebrew root yšr ("straight" or "level"), evoking spatial openness and natural bounty rather than elevation or aridity.[16]Geographical and Symbolic References
The Plain of Sharon
The Plain of Sharon constitutes a coastal plain in central Israel, spanning approximately 90 kilometers (56 miles) from the Yarkon River near Tel Aviv-Jaffa in the south to Mount Carmel in the north, with an average width of 15 kilometers (9.3 miles).[19] Bounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the west and the Samarian hills to the east, the region features a flat alluvial terrain at an elevation of 280–300 feet above sea level, intersected by three parallel north-south kurkar ridges that historically impeded river drainage and fostered swampy conditions during rainy seasons.[19][20] Its principal rivers include the Nahr al-Zarqa (Crocodile River) and Nahr Mefjir (Dead River), contributing to soil fertility characterized by red sandy Hamra deposits suitable for pastoral and later agricultural uses.[20] Biblically, the plain is referenced seven times, portraying it as a pastoral expanse where King David's herds grazed under the overseer Shitrai the Sharonite (1 Chronicles 27:29) and as a symbol of desolation or future restoration (Isaiah 33:9, 65:10).[19][20] It gained poetic renown for floral abundance, including the "rose of Sharon" evoking beauty and messianic renewal (Song of Solomon 2:1; Isaiah 35:2), and served as a strategic corridor on the ancient Via Maris highway linking Egypt to Mesopotamia, with conquest attributed to Joshua (Joshua 12:8, 12:18).[19][20] Historical records note small ports like Dor and Apollonia along its coast, alongside Talmudic mentions of wine production from its groves (Menachot 8:2; Shabbat 70a).[19][20] Swamp drainage efforts began with Roman-era channels cut through kurkar ridges to facilitate flow to the sea, enabling partial cultivation, though extensive malarial marshes persisted until 20th-century systematic reclamation transformed the area into prime farmland.[19][21] The Hamra soil proved ideal for citrus orchards—such as oranges and grapefruits—along with vegetables, cotton, and vineyards, positioning the plain as a key contributor to Israel's agricultural output post-1948 settlement drives.[19][21] Today, the Plain of Sharon ranks among Israel's most densely populated zones, integrating urban expansion in cities like Herzliya, Netanya, Hadera, and Kefar Saba with residual agricultural and technological hubs, such as the Caesarea industrial park developed from Herod the Great's ancient port city.[19] Its historical role in military campaigns, including Napoleon's 1799 invasion and General Allenby's 1917–1918 advance, underscores its enduring geopolitical significance as a narrow coastal chokepoint.[19]Rose of Sharon Symbolism
The phrase "rose of Sharon" originates from the Hebrew Bible in Song of Solomon 2:1, where it states, "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys" (King James Version), with the Hebrew term chavatzelet ha-sharon referring to a flower from the fertile coastal plain of Sharon in ancient Israel. This plain, stretching approximately 50 miles from Mount Carmel to Joppa, was renowned for its abundance of wildflowers, providing a backdrop for the imagery of natural beauty and vitality in the poetic context of the Song, which celebrates romantic or divine love.[15] Biblical scholars note that the term does not denote a true rose (Rosa species) but likely a bulbous or tuberous plant thriving in that region's meadows, emphasizing humility and accessibility amid abundance rather than exotic rarity.[22] Botanical identification remains disputed among experts, with proposals including the autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale), narcissus (Narcissus tazetta), or meadow saffron, all of which bloom prolifically in the Sharon plain's loamy soils during late winter or autumn, aligning with the verse's seasonal imagery.[23] Some interpretations favor an onion-like bulb (Allium species) based on etymological analysis of chavatzelet as suggesting a clustered, fragrant bloom, though no consensus exists due to limited archaeological evidence and translational variances across ancient manuscripts like the Septuagint, which renders it as "flower of the plain."[24] This ambiguity underscores that the symbolism prioritizes metaphorical qualities—delicacy, fragrance, and resilience in ordinary terrain—over precise taxonomy, as evidenced by the plant's evocation of renewal in Isaiah 35:1-2, where "the desert shall... blossom as the rose." In Jewish tradition, the rose of Sharon symbolizes purity, healing, and honor, often linked to priestly adornments like the turban worn by Aaron, signifying divine favor and restoration, as reflected in midrashic commentaries associating it with communal sanctity and the land's fertility under covenantal blessing.[25] Christian interpreters, drawing on typological readings, frequently apply it to Jesus Christ as the embodiment of beauty emerging from desolation, thriving in spiritual "dryness" akin to the root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1), with its fragrance representing the gospel's attractive power and endurance, as elaborated in hymns and sermons from the Reformation onward.[15][26] These allegorical uses, while influential in devotional literature, stem from interpretive frameworks that vary by theological tradition, with evangelical sources emphasizing Christological fulfillment and others cautioning against over-literalization given the Song's primary erotic or nuptial themes.[27]Usage as a Personal Name
Historical Adoption and Spread
The name Sharon transitioned from a biblical geographical reference to a feminine given name primarily in the English-speaking world during the early 20th century.[28] Its adoption as a personal name drew from Hebrew roots denoting a fertile plain, with initial use appearing sporadically in the United States as early as 1900 according to Social Security Administration records.[29] However, widespread recognition emerged in the 1920s, potentially catalyzed by the protagonist Sharon in Adela Rogers St. Johns' serialized novel The Skyrocket (1924), which was later adapted into a film.[28] Popularity surged in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s, coinciding with broader trends in biblical and nature-inspired names amid the Great Depression and World War II eras.[30] The name reached its zenith in U.S. rankings, attaining position number 8 between 1943 and 1945, reflecting a peak usage rate before a gradual decline post-1950s as naming preferences shifted toward more unique or modern options.[31] This period marked Sharon's strongest association with American baby boomers, with highest incidence in states like California, New York, and Illinois.[32] In Israel, Sharon has been employed as both a masculine and feminine given name since the establishment of the state in 1948, reflecting its Hebrew etymology and cultural resonance independent of Western literary influences.[33] Globally, the name spread modestly to other English-speaking nations such as Australia and the United Kingdom during the mid-20th century, though it never achieved comparable dominance outside the U.S.[34] By the late 20th century, its usage waned internationally, supplanted by evolving demographic and cultural naming patterns.[35]Popularity Statistics and Trends
In the United States, the given name Sharon reached its peak popularity for girls between 1943 and 1945, ranking 8th each year with usage rates of 1.548% to 1.722% of female births.[34] Over the century from 1925 to 2024, it stands as the 27th most frequently given female name per Social Security Administration records, accumulating 720,843 instances.[36] This surge aligned with mid-20th-century naming patterns favoring biblical and nature-inspired names, though Sharon's rise predated widespread awareness of its specific "Rose of Sharon" connotation. Post-peak, Sharon's rankings declined steadily: it held positions between 8th and 22nd through the 1940s and 1950s, then 16th to 36th in the 1960s, before falling to 37th–129th in the 1970s and exiting the top 100 by the 1980s.[34] By the 2010s, it ranked below 500th, dropping to 921st in 2016 and falling out of the top 1000 thereafter; in 2021, only 186 female births recorded the name, equating to roughly 1 in 9,567 girls.[34][37] The trend reflects broader shifts away from names prominent during the World War II era, with minimal male usage (under 1% of total Sharons) concentrated in the mid-20th century.[31]| Decade | Approximate Rank Range (Girls) | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1940s–1950s | 8–22 | Peak at 8th (1943–1945) |
| 1960s | 16–36 | Still top 50, e.g., 0.605% in 1968 |
| 1970s | 37–129 | Decline accelerates |
| 1980s–1990s | 129–407 | Below top 100 |
| 2000s–2020s | 421+ (unranked post-2016) | Rare, <0.02% usage by 2015 |
Variations Across Languages
The name Sharon retains its standard spelling and approximate pronunciation in many Indo-European languages, including French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, where it is written simply as "Sharon" without significant alteration, reflecting its adoption as an international given name influenced by English usage and biblical associations.[38] In Semitic languages, it adapts phonetically: in Hebrew, the source language, it is שרון (transliterated as Sharón or Sharon), directly derived from the geographical term for a fertile plain.[38] In Arabic, it appears as شارون (Shārūn), as seen in references to notable figures and general nomenclature.[39][38] East Asian languages employ katakana, hanzi, or hangul for phonetic approximation: Japanese renders it as シャロン (Sharon in romaji), prioritizing sound over meaning.[40] Chinese uses 莎伦 (Shā lún) in simplified script or 莎倫 in traditional, though simplified variants like 沙龙 can occur but may conflate with unrelated terms like "salon."[38] Korean transliterates it as 샤론 (Syallon).[38] Slavic languages show minor adjustments for Cyrillic script: Russian commonly uses Шэрон (Sheron) or Шарон (Sharon), accommodating local phonetics while preserving the core form.[41][38] In other scripts, such as Bengali (শ্যারন, Shyāran) or Hindi (शेरोन, Sheron), transliterations similarly emphasize phonetic fidelity.[38] These adaptations underscore Sharon's global portability as a modern name, with variations limited primarily to orthographic conventions rather than substantive semantic shifts or native equivalents, unlike more ancient names with deep indigenous roots. English-influenced spelling variants like Sharron or Sharyn occasionally appear in multicultural contexts but do not constitute language-specific forms.[33]Notable People
Individuals with Sharon as Given Name
Sharon Stone, born March 10, 1958, in Meadville, Pennsylvania, is an American actress recognized for portraying complex female characters in thrillers and dramas, including her Academy Award-nominated role as Ginger McKenna in Casino (1995) and her iconic performance in Basic Instinct (1992).[42][43] Sharon Tate, born January 24, 1943, in Dallas, Texas, was an American actress and model who gained prominence in the late 1960s through roles in films such as Valley of the Dolls (1967) and The Wrecking Crew (1968); she was murdered at age 26 on August 9, 1969, by members of the Manson Family cult in Los Angeles, an event that intensified public scrutiny of counterculture violence.[44][45][46] Sharon Osbourne, born Sharon Rachel Levy on October 9, 1952, in London, England, is a British-American television personality, author, and music manager who rose to fame managing her husband Ozzy Osbourne's career and co-producing the reality series The Osbournes (2002–2005), which documented their family life and earned her recognition as a pioneer in reality TV.[47][48][49] Sharon Gless, born May 31, 1943, is an American actress best known for her Emmy-winning portrayal of Detective Chris Cagney in the police drama Cagney & Lacey (1982–1988), a series that broke ground by featuring two female leads in a male-dominated genre, and for her role as Debbie Novotny in Queer as Folk (2000–2005).[50][51][52] Sharon Jones (May 4, 1956 – November 18, 2016) was an American soul and funk singer born in Augusta, Georgia, who achieved late-career success with her band Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, releasing albums like Naturally (2005) and earning acclaim for reviving raw, analog soul sounds through high-energy live performances and nominations for Grammy Awards in the soul category.[53][54][55]Individuals with Sharon as Surname
Ariel Sharon (1928–2014) was an Israeli general and statesman who commanded military operations in multiple Arab-Israeli conflicts and served as prime minister from 2001 to 2006.[56] Born Ariel Scheinermann in Kfar Malal, Mandatory Palestine, he joined the Haganah youth movement at age 14 in 1942 and fought in the 1948 War of Independence, rising to lead commando units.[3] Sharon orchestrated the 1956 Sinai Campaign paratrooper crossing and commanded forces in the 1967 Six-Day War and 1973 Yom Kippur War, earning a reputation for bold tactics amid internal military debates over his methods.[57] Entering politics, he helped form Likud in 1973, served as defense minister during the 1982 Lebanon War—where a commission later held him indirectly responsible for massacres at Sabra and Shatila refugee camps—and withdrew from Gaza in 2005 after founding Kadima.[57] A hemorrhagic stroke in January 2006 left him comatose until his death.[56] William Sharon (1821–1885) was a U.S. senator from Nevada, holding office from March 1875 to March 1881.[58] Born in Smithfield, Ohio, he relocated to California amid the 1849 Gold Rush, engaging in law, banking, and mining speculation that amassed his fortune, including roles in the Bank of California and Virginia & Truckee Railroad.[58] Appointed to the Senate amid Nevada's political vacancies, Sharon rarely attended sessions in Washington or Carson City, introduced no major legislation, and focused on business interests, drawing criticism for absenteeism.[59] His later years involved a high-profile 1883 adultery and divorce scandal with Sarah Althea Hill, which reached the U.S. Supreme Court and highlighted Gilded Age elite excesses before his death in San Francisco.[60] Ralph Sharon (1923–2015) was a jazz pianist and arranger renowned for his 40-year collaboration with Tony Bennett starting in 1957 as musical director.[61] Born in London to an American pianist mother, he emigrated to the U.S. in 1953, initially pursuing solo jazz before joining Bennett, with whom he recorded hits and toured globally.[62] Sharon unearthed Bennett's signature tune "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" from a forgotten demo in 1961, propelling it to No. 19 on Billboard charts and Grammy recognition, and arranged Bennett's jazz-infused repertoire.[63] After a 1965–1979 hiatus, they reunited; Sharon released solo albums and earned a 2012 NEA Jazz Masters award before dying in Boulder, Colorado.[64] Deke Sharon (born 1964) is an American vocal producer, arranger, and coach dubbed the "Father of Contemporary A Cappella" for pioneering its modern form.[65] Raised in San Francisco, he began performing at age 8, touring North America in operas and choirs before directing college groups like the Amherst Zumbyes in the 1980s.[65] Sharon arranged for Grammy-winning Pentatonix, produced films including the Pitch Perfect series (2012–2017) with over 1,000 cues, and founded the International Championship of A Cappella in 1992, influencing groups like Rockapella and Straight No Chaser through clinics and publications.[65] His work spans Broadway vocal directing and books on a cappella techniques, emphasizing beatboxing and pop adaptations.[66]Other Usages
As a Pseudonym or Stage Name
Sharon Needles is the stage name of Aaron Robert Coady (born November 28, 1981), an American drag queen, recording artist, and performer who rose to prominence after winning the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2012.[67] [68] The name "Sharon Needles" derives from a play on "sharing needles," reflecting themes of grit and edge associated with her horror-inspired aesthetic and Pittsburgh roots.[69] Needles has released albums such as PG69 (2014) and Battle Axe (2016), and toured extensively, establishing a fanbase drawn to her campy, punk-influenced drag style.[70] In a cappella music, Deke Sharon serves as the professional moniker of musician and producer active since the 1980s, known for arranging and directing contemporary vocal groups, including contributions to films like the Pitch Perfect series (2012–2017).[65] While details of his birth name remain less publicly documented outside specialized references, Sharon's work has shaped modern a cappella standards through arrangements for groups like The House Jacks and Vocal Majority.[71] Other instances include lesser-known adoptions, such as authors using variations like "Sharon Farrow" as pen names for mystery genres, though these often build on personal names rather than fully distinct pseudonyms.[72] Such uses highlight Sharon's occasional appeal in creative fields for evoking accessibility or biblical resonance without tying directly to the bearer's legal identity.Fictional Characters
Sharon Newman is a central fictional character in the American soap opera The Young and the Restless, originally introduced as Sharon Collins, a young woman navigating personal hardships including early motherhood and tumultuous relationships. Portrayed by actress Sharon Case since September 1994, the character resides in the fictional town of Genoa City and engages in intricate storylines involving rivalries, romances, and family dynamics with prominent clans such as the Newmans, Abbotts, and Baldwins.[73][74] In the animated series South Park, Sharon Marsh (née Kern) serves as a recurring character, depicted as the wife of Randy Marsh and mother to Stan and Shelley Marsh. First appearing in the season one episode "An Elephant Makes Love to a Pig!" (1997), she is portrayed as a pragmatic, often exasperated suburban homemaker and receptionist who frequently contends with her husband's impulsive schemes and the town's absurd events.[75] Sharon Da Silva, also known as Heather Mason, is the protagonist in the 2006 horror film Silent Hill adaptation and its 2012 sequel Silent Hill: Revelation. Adopted by the Da Silva family, she becomes entangled in supernatural horrors tied to the titular town, uncovering her true identity amid demonic manifestations and familial secrets.[76]Placenames
Settlements and Regions Named Sharon
The Sharon Plain, known in Hebrew as HaSharon, constitutes the central segment of Israel's coastal plain, extending roughly 50 miles (80 km) from the Yarkon River near Tel Aviv in the south to Nahal Taninim north of Caesarea, with a width of 10 to 15 miles (16 to 24 km) between the Mediterranean Sea and the Samarian Hills.[77] This fertile, low-lying region, historically prone to malaria due to swamps, was drained in the early 20th century, enabling agricultural development, particularly citrus cultivation on its red hamra soils, and supporting dense modern settlement.[19] The name derives from biblical references to a lush, flower-filled area, as in the Song of Solomon 2:1 ("I am the rose of Sharon"), though archaeological evidence indicates ancient Canaanite and Philistine presence with limited continuous settlement until Jewish agricultural initiatives in the 1920s.[77] Numerous settlements in the United States are named Sharon, typically honoring the biblical plain's fertility and invoked during colonial or early republican eras for new communities.[78] As of recent counts, 27 such places exist across 20 states, ranging from incorporated towns to unincorporated hamlets.[79]- Sharon, Connecticut: Incorporated by the General Assembly in 1739 in Litchfield County, named explicitly after the Plain of Sharon for its anticipated agricultural promise; it spans 59 square miles in the northwest corner of the state.[78]
- Sharon, Massachusetts: Established as the second precinct of Stoughton in 1740, incorporated as the town of Stoughtonham in 1765, and renamed Sharon in 1783, reflecting post-Revolutionary naming trends favoring biblical locales; located in Norfolk County, 20 miles southwest of Boston.[80]
- Sharon, Pennsylvania: Founded as a settlement in Hickory Township in 1795 and incorporated as a borough in 1841 in Mercer County, part of the broader Shenango Valley industrial area centered on steel and manufacturing.[81][82]
- Sharon, Vermont: A rural town in Windsor County, settled in the late 18th century and known as the birthplace of Joseph Smith on December 23, 1805, in a farming community emphasizing lumber and agriculture.[83]
- Sharon, New Hampshire: Situated in the Monadnock Region of Hillsborough County, incorporated in 1775 from land grants dating to 1736, with a focus on small-scale farming and historical Quaker influences in nearby areas.[84]