Boy · 42nd of 16,616
Sean
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
425,998
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1990
Peak Popularity Year
12,070
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Sean stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Sean is an Irish name derived from 'Seán', a variant of 'John', which means 'God is gracious'. It evolved from Hebrew through Latin and Greek before becoming popular in its current form in Ireland and beyond. The name has become widely recognized and carries a modern, positive connotation. It has no direct biblical background but is rooted in a name that appears in biblical texts. Sean is often associated with notable figures in entertainment.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ʃɔːn/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
Sean is derived from the Irish name 'Seán', which is a variant of the name 'John'. The name 'John' comes from the Hebrew name 'Yohanan', meaning 'God is gracious'.
Meaning
God is gracious
Language Evolution
Yohanan (Hebrew), Ioannes (Latin), Johannes (Greek), John (Old English), Seán (Irish)
Historical Usage
The name Sean has been commonly used in Ireland since the 20th century and has gained popularity in English-speaking countries, especially during the late 20th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Seán, Shawn, Shon
Modern Popularity & Image
Sean is perceived as a modern and friendly name, often associated with creativity and warmth.
Famous People
Sean Connery, Sean Penn, Sean Astin
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 12,070 peak births in 1990
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 16 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 6320th of 7545 | 12 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1582nd of 6773 | 359 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 253rd of 7552 | 16,034 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 44th of 10718 | 128,545 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 42nd of 16616 | 165,616 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 66th of 24088 | 96,501 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 266th of 23106 | 15,969 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 8072nd of 9204 | 10 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3043rd of 12526 | 281 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1615th of 19264 | 970 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1748th of 27321 | 1,220 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4866th of 35406 | 433 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 15866th of 30306 | 48 |