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Sean

Boy / Girl name · 10,884 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Sean: 10,884 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to both boys and girls, peaking at 634 births in 1992.

The Irish form of John, Sean comes from the Gaelic Séan, ultimately derived from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious." Perhaps the most famous bearer is Sir Sean Connery, the iconic Scottish actor who brought James Bond to life and remains a national treasure. Another notable figure is actor Sean Penn, known for his intense performances and humanitarian work. While no major places are named directly after a Sean, the name shares its root with countless towns and places called John or its variants worldwide. Sean is one of several anglicised spellings, along with Shaun and Shawn, and has been a consistently popular choice in Scotland since the 1970s, loved for its classic yet distinctly Celtic feel.

Boy 52 of 52 years

Peak year
1992634 babies
Latest (2025)
#22618 babies
Total births
10,881since 1974
5-year trend
▼ 50%vs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 1992 · 634
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).

Girl 1 of 52 years

Peak year
19923 babies
Latest (1992)
#6413 babies
Total births
3since 1992
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 1992 · 3
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).