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Home › Baby Names Directory › Sean

Sean

♀ Girl

Pronounced SHAWN /ˈʃɔːn/Medium

Meaning: The Irish form of John, from Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious.' Used here for a girl though Sean is overwhelmingly a boy's name, which we note strongly.Medium

In 30 seconds: The Irish John: Sean means 'God is gracious' (said 'SHAWN'). Strongly a boy's name — we note the lean.
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Origin MediumIrish
MeaningThe Irish form of John, from Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious.' Used here for a girl though Sean is overwhelmingly a boy's name, which we note strongly.
U.S. rank (2025)#12971 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1988
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,969

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198819392025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Sean comes from the Irish spelling of John (from Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious'). It is a very well established boys' name; as a girl's name it is rare and reads unexpected, which we note (said 'SHAWN').

For girls it appears only rarely, against overwhelming boys' use. Rare on the girls' side, classic, and Irish.

Did you know? Sean is the Irish form of John, 'God is gracious' — and though used here for a girl, it is overwhelmingly a boys' name, which we note strongly (said 'SHAWN').
Overall data confidence 44%
References — Sean — Irish form of John; 'God is gracious'; strongly boy's

Variations

ShawnShaunShauna

Nicknames

ShaunieSea

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Sean…

Shauna— the feminine form of Sean
Quinn— a like crisp Irish unisex pick
Roan— lands in the same popularity range
Sheridan— echoes that soft -an sound
Rylan— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Sean

By themeclassicirishcross-sexunisex-lean-boy

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Sean mean?

Sean is the Irish form of John, meaning 'God is gracious.'

How do you pronounce Sean?

It's said SHAWN /ˈʃɔːn/ — one syllable.

Is Sean a boy or girl name?

Sean is strongly a boys' name; its use for a girl is rare, which we note. Shauna is the feminine form.

How popular is Sean?

Sean is common for boys and very rare for girls in the U.S.

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