Sean is a male given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname Ó Séaghdha, which means "descendant of Seán". Seán itself is an Irish form of the English name John, meaning "God is gracious" or "gift from God".
The name Sean has been used in Ireland for centuries and was traditionally given to boys born around the time of Christmas. However, its popularity as a given name has increased significantly in recent years both in Ireland and internationally.
In literature and popular culture, Sean has been used as a character name in numerous works, including "Sean O'Casey" by George Bernard Shaw, "Sean" by John Updike, and the James Bond film "GoldenEye". This exposure has likely contributed to its growing popularity as a given name.
"Sean's popularity as a baby name peaked in the late 1960s to early 1970s, with over 10,000 births each year between 1965 and 1971. Since then, its usage has declined significantly, dropping below 1,000 births per year by 2013 and reaching an all-time low of 739 in 2023."