Sean first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Sean has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Sean

Irish form of John, meaning "God is gracious."

Popularity of Sean by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Sean is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Sean being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 739 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Sean.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 739 0
2022 797 0
2021 898 0
2020 966 8
2019 1,126 0
2018 1,324 5
2017 1,480 0
2016 1,669 6
2015 1,890 7
2014 2,125 0
2013 2,201 14
2012 2,774 14
2011 3,189 9
2010 3,743 11
2009 4,338 13
2008 5,468 27
2007 6,241 10
2006 6,641 21
2005 5,997 27
2004 6,768 30
2003 7,102 35
2002 7,028 25
2001 7,224 35
2000 7,317 50
1999 7,205 38
1998 7,713 35
1997 7,744 53
1996 7,897 48
1995 8,164 54
1994 8,837 62
1993 10,175 73
1992 11,064 96
1991 11,179 76
1990 12,016 52
1989 11,898 88
1988 11,789 103
1987 11,449 88
1986 11,784 95
1985 11,454 98
1984 10,023 72
1983 9,621 92
1982 9,360 63
1981 8,893 60
1980 7,600 51
1979 6,859 54
1978 7,069 46
1977 7,630 47
1976 7,570 51
1975 7,590 62
1974 8,294 60

The history of the first name Sean

The name Sean has its origins in the Irish language, derived from the ancient Gaelic name Seán. This name traces its roots back to the Old Irish word "Séaghdhan" or "Séadna," which means "venerable" or "ancient."

The name Sean gained popularity in Ireland during the medieval period, particularly among families with strong cultural and historical ties to the island. It was often associated with traits such as wisdom, respect, and a deep connection to Irish heritage.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sean can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century. This text mentions several notable figures bearing the name, including Sean Mór O'Dubhagain, a renowned Irish historian and poet who lived in the 14th century.

Throughout the centuries, the name Sean has been carried by many influential individuals in Ireland and beyond. Some notable examples include:

  1. Sean O'Casey (1880-1964), an Irish dramatist and memoirist, known for his plays such as "Juno and the Paycock" and "The Plough and the Stars."
  2. Sean Lemass (1899-1971), an Irish politician who served as Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland from 1959 to 1966.
  3. Sean MacBride (1904-1988), an Irish statesman and prominent international humanitarian who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1974.
  4. Sean Connery (1930-2020), the renowned Scottish actor best known for his portrayal of James Bond in several films.
  5. Sean Penn (born 1960), an American actor, filmmaker, and political activist known for his critically acclaimed performances in movies like "Mystic River" and "Milk."

While the name Sean has Irish roots, it has also gained popularity in various English-speaking countries and has been adopted by people of diverse cultural backgrounds. However, the name remains closely tied to its Irish heritage and serves as a reminder of the rich cultural traditions and history of the Emerald Isle.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Sean was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Sean, please contact us.

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"Sean first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on December 4, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/sean-meaning-and-history/.

"Sean first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/sean-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 4 December, 2024

Sean first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/sean-meaning-and-history/.

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