diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/SymbolInstances.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/SymbolInstances.scala
index 843e1228ae..62039e4e9b 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/SymbolInstances.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/SymbolInstances.scala
@@ -25,5 +25,5 @@ import cats.Show
 
 trait SymbolInstances extends cats.kernel.instances.SymbolInstances {
   implicit val catsStdShowForSymbol: Show[Symbol] =
-    Show.fromToString[Symbol]
+    Show.show("'" + _.name)
 }