Sean is a popular Irish male given name, derived from the Gaelic name "Seanan". The name Seanan is composed of two elements: "sean" meaning old or ancient, and "án" which refers to a little one. Therefore, Sean means "little old man," but it's important to note that this doesn't have any negative connotations in Irish culture.
The name Sean has a rich history in Ireland, with several notable figures bearing the name throughout its history. One famous Sean is Saint Seanan, who was a sixth-century abbot and founder of a monastery in Kerry, Ireland. He is remembered as a patron saint of that region.
In literature, Sean O'Faolain was an influential Irish writer known for his short stories and novels. Another notable figure is Sean Lemass, who served as the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland from 1959 to 1966. These examples illustrate how the name Sean has been associated with important and accomplished individuals throughout history.
Internationally, the name Sean has gained popularity due to its simplicity and ease of pronunciation in many languages. It ranks among the top 200 most popular names for boys worldwide, according to some sources. However, it's worth noting that the name is still more commonly used in English-speaking countries like Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Overall, Sean is a name with deep Irish roots and a history filled with notable figures. Its meaning may seem unusual at first glance, but it has been embraced by many families as a strong and distinctive choice for their sons.
The name Sean has a rich history of usage in the United States, with its popularity fluctuating over time according to these annual birth statistics.
From the early 1930s to the late 1970s, Sean's popularity grew steadily. The highest number of births recorded was 88 in 1968 and then again in 1969, suggesting that this period marked a peak for the name.
However, from the 1980s onwards, we observe a decline in its popularity. Despite some fluctuations, Sean's usage remained consistently lower than its peak years, with the number of births ranging between 7 and 52 annually.
In recent years, from 2000 to 2020, the name Sean has seen a further decline in usage, with fewer than 15 births recorded each year. The lowest number of births was recorded in 2007, with only 10 births that year.
Overall, while Sean once enjoyed significant popularity as a baby boy's name in the United States, its usage has waned over time. Despite this decline, there have been approximately 2954 babies named Sean born in the U.S. since these statistics began being recorded.