Find out how popular the first name Shawnnessy has been for the last 3 years (from 2004 to 2006) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Shawnnessy by gender

Based on the last 3 years of data, Shawnnessy is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2006, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Shawnnessy.

The history of the first name Shawnnessy

The name Shawnnessy has its origins in the Celtic language of ancient Ireland and Scotland. It is derived from the Gaelic name Seán or Seónadh, which means "God is gracious." The name was originally spelled as Seán or Seónadh and later evolved into various forms, including Shawn, Shon, and Shawnnessy.

Shawnnessy is a relatively modern spelling variation that emerged in the late 19th century, primarily among Irish immigrants to the United States and Canada. This spelling likely arose as a way to distinguish the name from the more common Shawn or Seán.

The earliest recorded use of the name Shawnnessy can be traced back to the late 19th century in Irish-American communities. One of the earliest documented individuals with this name was Shawnnessy O'Malley, an Irish-American labor organizer born in 1867 in New York City.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Shawnnessy or its variations. For example, Shawnnessy O'Brien (1848-1923) was an Irish-American politician and member of the New York State Assembly. Shawnnessy Fitzgerald (1876-1942) was an Irish-American journalist and author known for his work on Irish-American culture.

Another notable figure was Shawnnessy Dugan (1892-1968), an American baseball player who played for the Philadelphia Athletics and the Boston Red Sox in the early 20th century. Shawnnessy Gallagher (1914-1998) was an Irish-American activist and advocate for labor rights and civil rights in the United States.

Shawnnessy Malone (1928-2004) was an American actor and comedian, best known for his roles in several popular television shows and films in the 1960s and 1970s.

While the name Shawnnessy is not as common as its variations like Shawn or Seán, it has a rich history and cultural significance, particularly among Irish-American communities. The name's Celtic origins and evolution over time reflect the linguistic and cultural traditions of Ireland and Scotland.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!