Sheehan is a surname of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name "Siobhán" which means "God is gracious." The name was traditionally used for girls, but it has also been used as a boy's name in recent years.
The Sheehan family can be traced back to County Cork in Ireland. They were one of the most prominent families in the region and held considerable lands and influence. The earliest record of the name is found in the Annals of the Four Masters, which is an Irish chronicle dating back to the 17th century.
The Sheehan family played a significant role in Irish history, particularly during the period of British rule. Many members of the family were involved in political and military activities aimed at gaining independence for Ireland. Some notable figures include Jeremiah Sheehan who was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and Patrick Sheehan who was a politician and writer.
Today, the name Sheehan is still widely used throughout Ireland and among the Irish diaspora around the world. It remains a popular choice for parents naming their children, with both boys and girls being given this name. Despite its Irish origins, Sheehan has also become a common surname in other countries such as England, Australia, and the United States.
Overall, the name Sheehan is associated with Irish heritage and history, but it has also gained popularity as a unisex name that can be used by families of various backgrounds. Its meaning, "God is gracious," adds to its appeal for many parents who wish to give their child a name that carries a positive and meaningful message.
The given statistics show the annual number of births with the name Sheehan in the United States from 1983 to 2008. Over this period of time, there were a total of 69 babies named Sheehan born across the country.
From year to year, the popularity of the name Sheehan varied significantly. The highest number of births with this name occurred in 2001, with 12 babies being named Sheehan that year. This was more than double the number of Sheehan births recorded in any other single year during the given period.
Interestingly, the years immediately preceding and following the peak in popularity for the name Sheehan in 2001 did not exhibit a significant increase or decrease in its usage as a baby name. In fact, there were only slight fluctuations in the number of babies named Sheehan around this time, with 8 births recorded in both 1997 and 1994, and 6 births recorded in both 2005 and 1989.
The data also reveals that the name Sheehan was more commonly given to babies during the late 1980s and early to mid-1990s than it was in the earlier part of this period or thereafter. For instance, there were only 7 births with the name Sheehan recorded in 1983, but this number increased to 5 births each in both 1984 and 1988 before peaking at 6 births in 1989.
In contrast, the popularity of the name Sheehan appears to have declined somewhat after its peak in 2001. There were only 5 births with this name recorded in both 2008 and 1991, which is significantly lower than the highest number of Sheehan births recorded during the given period.
Overall, these statistics provide insight into the trends surrounding the usage of the name Sheehan as a baby name in the United States over a span of nearly three decades. While the popularity of this name varied significantly from year to year, it is clear that there was a notable increase in its usage during the late 1980s and early to mid-1990s, with a peak occurring in 2001 before a subsequent decline in its popularity thereafter.