"God is gracious"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Irish
Sean
Pronunciation: [ sh-AWN ]
Does Sean flow with your last name?
The classic Irish form of John meaning God is gracious
Irish
English
Scottish
American
Irish
Strong
Gender Neutral
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"gift of God"
Origin: Irish
Language: English
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The Story of Sean
Sean is the Irish form of John, itself from the Hebrew Yohanan meaning God is gracious. The name entered Irish through Norman influence in the Middle Ages, when the Norman name Jean was adopted into Gaelic as Sean. Its spelling defies phonetic expectations, making it a name with a pronunciation that must be learned.
Sean has been a popular Irish name for centuries. As a girls name, Sean follows the modern trend of Irish and traditionally male names crossing gender lines. It has been used for girls in Ireland and among Irish-American families, where it carries strong cultural identity.
In Irish culture, Sean is one of the most classic and enduring names, carrying centuries of tradition. The name embodies Irish cultural pride and is deeply associated with Irish identity worldwide, particularly in the diaspora.
Historical Record
Sean first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,940 babies have been named Sean in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Sean is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #14,891 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Sean is pronounced Shawn, not Seen or Say-an
- Sean Connery made this name internationally famous outside Ireland
Sean in Other Languages
Irish
Sean
French
Jean
Hebrew
Yohanan
English
John
Spanish
Juan
Popularity Over Time
#14,891
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #14,891
- Total SSA Count
- 8
- Cultural Origins
- Irish English Scottish American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Sean
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Sean is also used as a boy name, ranked #437.
View Sean as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Sean →Compare Sean with...
Same Origin Names (Irish)
See all Irish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Sean
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Save Your Name Card
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sean
What does the name Sean mean?
"God is gracious" (from Hebrew). "gift of God" (from Irish). Sean is the Irish form of John, itself from the Hebrew Yohanan meaning God is gracious. The name entered Irish through Norman influence in the Middle Ages, when the Norman name Jean was adopted into Gaelic as Sean. Its spelling defies phonetic expectations, making it a name with a pronunciation that must be learned.
What is the origin of the name Sean?
Sean has Hebrew, Irish, English, Scottish, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "God is gracious". In Irish, it means "gift of God".
Is Sean a boy or girl name?
Sean is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #14891. As a boy name, it is ranked #437. Sean is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Sean?
Sean is pronounced sh-AWN.
How popular is the name Sean?
Sean is currently ranked #14891 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Sean?
Popular middle name pairings include Sean Marie, Sean Elizabeth, Sean Rose, Sean Clare, and Sean Bridget.
What are good sibling names for Sean?
Names that pair well with Sean as siblings include Cormac, Niamh, Aoife, and Declan.
How many syllables does Sean have?
Sean has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Sean a common or rare name?
Sean is an uncommon name, ranked #14891 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Sean?
Are there other spellings for Sean?
Related spellings include Seanna.
About the Name Sean
Sean is a girl name with Irish, English, Scottish, and American origins . The name means "God is gracious" in Hebrew .
Is Sean a boy or girl name? Sean is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #14,891 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #437. Sean is more commonly used as a boy name.
Sean is currently ranked #14,891 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Sean has 1 syllable and is pronounced sh-AWN, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Sean include Seanna . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis