Shaun is a masculine given name derived from the Irish name Seán, which is the Irish form of the name John. The name John comes from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious." The name Seán was anglicized to the spelling Shaun, likely due to the influence of the Norman French language in Ireland during the Middle Ages.

The name Shaun has its roots in early Christianity, as it is a variant of the name John, one of the most prominent figures in the New Testament and one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. The name gained popularity in Ireland and was later adopted in other English-speaking countries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shaun can be found in the Annals of Ulster, an ancient chronicle of medieval Irish history. The annals mention a Shaun O'Donnell, who was the chief of the O'Donnell clan in the 14th century.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Shaun. One of the most famous is Shaun White (born 1986), an American professional snowboarder and skateboarder who has won numerous Olympic and X Games gold medals.

Another well-known Shaun is Shaun Tan (born 1974), an Australian writer and illustrator who has won numerous awards, including the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, for his children's books.

In the world of literature, Shaun Davey (1948-2022) was an Irish composer and arranger who collaborated with poets such as Seamus Heaney and created music for film and television.

Sir Shaun Woodward (born 1958) is a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament and held various ministerial positions in the Labour government.

Shaun Marsh (born 1983) is an Australian cricketer who has represented his country in all formats of the game and has played in several international tournaments.

While the name Shaun has its roots in Irish and Christian history, it has become a popular name in various cultures and regions around the world, transcending its original linguistic and cultural boundaries.