Declining since 1986, #489 for boys today.
Popularity of Sean since 1925
Babies named Sean per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 12 |
| 1930s | 101 |
| 1940s | 659 |
| 1950s | 5,452 |
| 1960s | 47,282 |
| 1970s | 83,819 |
| 1980s | 103,870 |
| 1990s | 92,003 |
| 2000s | 64,133 |
| 2010s | 21,540 |
| 2020s | 4,766 |
Meaning & origin
Sean is a strong and enduring Irish name that has long been a favorite in the United States. In 2025, it ranked #489, given to roughly 1 in every 2,773 boys. Its peak era of popularity came in the 1980s, reaching an apex in 1986, and it has been declining gradually since then. Despite this downward trajectory, Sean remains a classic choice with broad appeal, particularly in parts of the Northeast: Washington, D.C., Delaware, and New Hampshire are among the states where it still performs well. The name first entered American popularity records in 1925, reflecting the influence of Irish immigration and the gradual acceptance of traditional Gaelic names. Today, Sean is recognized worldwide, thanks in part to famous figures in entertainment and sports who have carried the name. While it may no longer be at the height of fashion, its simplicity and deep roots give it lasting resonance.
Sean is the Irish Gaelic form of the English name John, derived from the Norman French Jehan. The Irish form Seán or Seaghán originated from the French Jehan, which in turn comes from the Latin Johannes, ultimately from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning 'Yahweh is gracious'. The name has been used in Ireland since the Norman invasion in the 12th century and became one of the most common Irish male names. Beginning in the 20th century, Sean spread to the English-speaking world at large, initially through Irish emigration and later through wider cultural influence, and it remains popular particularly in the United States.
Where Sean is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Sean” around the world
Where Sean lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Ireland
#23
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Sean
Names that share Sean's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Bridget, Molly, Maeve, Fiona, Erin, Alanna, Angie, Brenna, Briana, Bridgette, Colleen, Dana, Doreen, Eileen, Kaitlyn, Kari, Kelli, Kelly, Kristen, Leann, Maureen, Meagan, Shana, Shanna, Shannon, Shauna, Sheena, Sheila, Shelley, Tara, Trisha, Alannah, Asia, Breana, Breann, Bree, Bridgett, Bridgit, Brigette, Brigid, Brigit, Cailin, Caitlin, Cathleen, Catrina, Coleen, Dayna, Deidre, Deirdre, Eryn, Janeen, Julianne, Kacie, Kaitlin, Karrie, Katelin, Katlin, Katlyn, Kayleen, Keeley, Keli, Kellee, Kelley, Kellie, Keri, Kerri, Kerrie, Kierra, Kirstin, Leigh, Leigha, Lynsey, Maura, Meaghan, Noreen, Reanna, Reilly, Rona, Rosaleen, Shaina, Shannan, Shanon, Shavon, Shawna, Shea, Tera, Una, Aislin, Aislyn, Allyn, Aryn, Barrie, Breeana, Brianne, Bryna, Caitlynn, Candra, Carra, Casie, Cassey, Catelyn, Ceola, Ciana, Ciarra, Colene, Coreen, Corrin, Crissy, Cristin, Daneen, Diedra, Diedre, Eilene, Ellyn, Enya, Erinn, Erynn, Irish, Kareen, Karena, Kasi, Katelynne, Kathlene, Kathlyn, Keirsten, Kelle, Kellyann, Kellyn, Kristeen, Kyley, Leana, Leslee, Magan, Mairead, Meggan, Meghann, Neela, Niamh, Raeanne, Rheanna, Robynn, Seana, Seanna, Shannah, Shannen, Shaunda, Shaunna, Shavonne, Shawnda, Shawnna, Sheilah, Shela, Shenna, Shonna, Sinead, Symone, Tammara, Teryn, Trena, Ailen, Ailin, Ailish, Bridgid, Brieanne, Briget, Brigett, Brighid, Caitlan, Cathlene, Catlyn, Chavon, Chevonne, Collene, Courteney, Darra, Dawnmarie, Deona, Doreene, Duana, Eileene, Eilleen, Eily, Eleen, Errin, Fionna, Ileene, Ita, Jamy, Jeneen, Kaleen, Karee, Kariann, Katheleen, Kathleene, Kathyleen, Kealey, Kearra, Keary, Keera, Keilly, Kelleen, Kelliann, Kellianne, Kellyanne, Kelyn, Kendrah, Keriann, Kerianne, Kerra, Kerriann, Kerrianne, Kerrin, Kirstan, Kolleen, Korri, Korrie, Leane, Maeghan, Maghan, Maire, Mairin, Maurene, Meegan, Megann, Megyn, Mehgan, Meighan, Meshell, Moya, Murriel, Neala, Nycole, Reann, Roanne, Roisin, Shaena, Shaleen, Shaney, Shanley, Sharna, Shawndra, Shawnette, Shawnie, Sheana, Sheilia, Sheilla, Shelagh, Tarynn, Taura, Trisa, Ailis, Allanna, Ashling, Breanah, Breeanne, Breunna, Caitlen, Caitriona, Calleen, Carrin, Casee, Catelin, Cathaleen, Cathlyn, Cathryne, Caytlin, Cearra, Ceili, Ceira, Chivon, Cola, Daly, Dreanna, Eilish, Erinne, Eyleen, Ileane, Johnnae, Justeen, Kaitlinn, Karenna, Karinne, Karrin, Katelan, Katelynd, Kathalene, Kathelyn, Kathline, Kathlynn, Katleen, Katlynne, Kayann, Keenya, Keeva, Kelie, Kely, Kerie, Kerina, Kerryann, Kerryn, Keryn, Kimra, Koleen, Kylea, Leiann, Lynnett, Meagon, Meeghan, Meggin, Meghin, Michaeleen, Moreen, Nealy, Nuala, Shanah, Shannin, Shauni, Shawni, Sheala, Sheanna, Shena, Shevon, Tarra, Tracye, Briggette, Cherae, Correen, Shavonn, Abaigeal, Allahna, Athleen, Breean, Briane, Bridgitt, Brigetta, Cait, Caitlinn, Caleen, Caree, Carrah, Cathlin, Cheila, Colleene, Creasie, Deannah, Deveney, Erynne, Fionnuala, Jilleen, Jillyn, Kaityln, Kateleen, Kateline, Katheen, Kathelene, Kathleena, Kerrilyn, Kery, Lauralynn, Mashelle, Meaghann, Meaghen, Meggen, Meghen, Meigan, Noreene, Norinne, Sabrie, Shalaine, Shaunette, Shevawn, Shoni, Shonia, Tanee, Tracyann
Brothers: Liam, Colin, Brendan, Patrick, Connor, Barry, Brady, Brenden, Brian, Casey, Conor, Corey, Cory, Declan, Derek, Devin, Donovan, Dwayne, Erick, Kerry, Kevin, Neal, Neil, Ryan, Shane, Shawn, Troy, Arron, Brennen, Bryon, Collin, Dereck, Derry, Deven, Donavan, Donell, Donn, Donnell, Dorsey, Doyle, Eamon, Ean, Egan, Keelan, Keenan, Kenny, Keven, Kory, Patric, Rian, Rory, Shayne, Brain, Brendon, Brien, Brion, Byran, Caelan, Carlin, Cavan, Connell, Corry, Darick, Darryn, Daryn, Derrek, Desmon, Donal, Dwane, Eamonn, Ennis, Farrell, Glennon, Hagan, Kelan, Kennan, Kenney, Kennth, Kerwin, Kevan, Kilian, Kyran, Macklin, Orie, Oshea, Shain, Taren, Teague, Tiernan, Adian, Brannan, Briant, Carney, Channon, Collen, Con, Conlan, Correy, Daran, Derren, Derrin, Deryk, Donel, Doyal, Dugan, Eion, Enis, Erek, Farrel, Ferrel, Fionn, Galvin, Jerek, Kean, Keanan, Keevin, Keiran, Keiron, Kieren, Padraic, Padraig, Rockne, Shaune, Aedin, Aodhan, Bryen, Cevin, Conlin, Darran, Devonn, Gerrad, Jsean, Kano, Kealan, Keefe, Keelen, Kerney, Kerrick, Kevyn, Kienan, Konor, Kullen, Neill, Oniel, Paddy, Ruairi, Shawan, Shonn, Tryone, Chrisean, Desman, Shanen, Teren, Aadan, Bryne, Coady, Colm, Cono, Coyle, Deryck, Deshannon, Dorin, Johnryan, Keanen, Keevon, Kiven, Korrey, Manus, Maurya, Neilan, Nial, Nyal, Ranen, Rodderick, Sair, Schon, Sirron
Names like Sean
Names whose popularity has moved with Sean's over the last 50 years.
