Sean is a distinctive boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #615 in 2025 with 61 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 1996 with 1,594 births ranking #49. Since 1996, the popularity has decreased by 96.2%. In 2025, approximately 1 in every 4,458 boys born was named Sean. STABLE Recent data shows the name is currently stable.
Sean is the Irish form of John and carries the meaning God is gracious. It is one of the strongest examples of a culturally rooted classic that still feels widely familiar.
The name has long-standing importance in Irish naming and later became well known far beyond Ireland. Its staying power comes from its heritage and its clean, confident sound.