Find out how popular the first name Senan has been for the last 23 years (from 2001 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Senan by gender

Based on the last 23 years of data, Senan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Senan.

The history of the first name Senan

The name Senan is of Irish origin and has its roots in the Gaelic language. It is derived from the word "sean," which means "old" or "ancient." The name can be traced back to the 5th and 6th centuries, during the early Christian era in Ireland.

Senan is closely associated with Saint Senán, a prominent Irish monastic saint who lived in the 6th century. He founded several monasteries, including the famous Scattery Island monastery in County Clare. The name gained widespread popularity due to the veneration of this saint, and it was adopted by many Irish families as a way to honor him.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Senan can be found in the ancient Irish text, the "Annals of Inisfallen," which dates back to the 11th century. This text chronicles the lives of various Irish saints and includes references to individuals named Senan.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Senan. One of the most famous was Senan O'Murchadha (c. 1070 - c. 1130), an Irish cleric and poet who served as the Bishop of Lismore in County Waterford. Another prominent figure was Senan O'Fallon (c. 1490 - c. 1560), an Irish chieftain and leader of the O'Fallon clan in County Roscommon.

In the 17th century, Senan MacDonnell (c. 1610 - c. 1680) was a notable Irish soldier and landowner who fought for the Confederacy during the Irish Confederate Wars. He was later involved in the Jacobite risings in Scotland.

During the 19th century, Senan Cleary (1823 - 1901) was an Irish journalist and editor who played a significant role in the Irish nationalist movement. He founded and edited several newspapers, including "The Irish Monthly" and "The Irish Literary Gazette."

Another noteworthy figure was Senan Kilcullen (1890 - 1973), an Irish politician and member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). He participated in the Irish War of Independence and later served as a member of the Irish Parliament (Dáil Éireann) for many years.

While the name Senan has its roots in ancient Irish history and tradition, it continues to be used in modern times, reflecting the enduring connection to Ireland's rich cultural heritage.

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 Senan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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