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Baby names

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Original poster

Thoughts on Sean?

72 replies

DucklingSpring · 27/10/2020 17:34

Don’t really have much to say here other than if it would be odd for us to use this name as we do not come from an Irish background. What are people’s general opinions on the name? Thanks

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LynetteScavo · 28/10/2020 06:37

I'm in England - DC go to a Catholic school and there seems to be an awful lot of boys called Sean. Pronounced Shawn.
I haven't met any other Sean's recently, so I'm always surprised there are so many Sean's in one school.

Smallsteps88 · 28/10/2020 03:59

Séan or Sèan is the Irish translation of English John.

What the fuck is Sèan? Confused

Fruitpunch · 28/10/2020 03:35

Yes, but to be pronounced ‘Shawn’, it needs to have a síne fada on the ‘a’, so Seán. Otherwise, without the fada, it’s pronounced ‘Shan’ and isn’t a name but the word for ‘old’.

It’s grand, a safe classic.

duggeeismynewbestfriend · 28/10/2020 02:43

Any Sean I know is pronounce Shaun

SeanCailleach · 27/10/2020 22:52

In Ulster Seán would mostly be Shahn, although fair enough Derry it would be close to rhyming with ran.

eggandonion · 27/10/2020 22:40

I prefer Shane. My dd knows brothers called Cian and Shane.
The only person I ever heard saying Shan was from Derry/Londonderry.

MrsBungle · 27/10/2020 22:36

I like it. My dad is Sean (although his birth certificate name is John). He’s Irish. I’d automatically assume Irish heritage with the spelling Sean.

OwlOne · 27/10/2020 22:36

It's ok. John is coming back so I guess sean might too

DramaAlpaca · 27/10/2020 22:34

I love it, and know loads of all ages. But I'm in Ireland so that's not surprising.

Sundaypolodog · 27/10/2020 22:20

Ok, shon is how my brothers name is pronounced in my family

As a teacher, a boy in m class insisted his name was Sean rhyming with dean.

JuliaJohnston · 27/10/2020 22:15

@Sundaypolodog

Like others have said, Sean - is the Irish version of John, pronounced Shan. I'm Irish and my brother is Sean. I like it as a name. It's not easy to shorten it which is a good thing
It is not pronounced Shan.
Chicchicchicchiclana · 27/10/2020 22:14

Absolutely love it.

SeanCailleach · 27/10/2020 22:13

I don't mean the name means "old". And the spelling "Sean" without an accent is so widely recognised as a name. The name is usually said to be a Gaelic version of John. Sometimes people say it means "beautiful, shining", but I don't know why.

"Séan" with the accent on the é, is pronounced "shane". It is a word in Irish that means a lucky charm, or it can be another word for an oak tree (there are several words for oak).

guineapig1 · 27/10/2020 22:12

Sean is nice. I disagree that it’s dated - it’s similar to Sion - there are lots of little Sions in Wales!

purplecorkheart · 27/10/2020 22:11

I am Irish so know many Seans but none of them are under 35.

Sundaypolodog · 27/10/2020 22:09

Like others have said, Sean - is the Irish version of John, pronounced Shan. I'm Irish and my brother is Sean. I like it as a name. It's not easy to shorten it which is a good thing

Beni1993 · 27/10/2020 22:02

Is your son going to be 40 Grin nothing wrong with the name Sean, it just isn't a baby name, kind of like Ian, Phil etc Grin

Tess3 · 27/10/2020 21:51

Seán or Sèan is the Irish translation of English John...

JuliaJohnston · 27/10/2020 21:48

@SeanCailleach

If I were to use it outside of Ireland I would go for Shaun. Sean is pronounced shan and means "old". Seán is a lovely classic name.
No it's not?? Not if it's correctly spelt as Seán, anyway.
SionnachRua · 27/10/2020 21:41

Well she is correct, the á in Seán is what makes an aw sound. Sean without a fada is pronounced shan, which is the word for old.

Now many people spell it Sean of course, just as many people spell Orla without a fada (which literally means vomit). Prob won't impact his life just as it won't impact all the Orlas out there.

SparkyBlue · 27/10/2020 21:33

@SeanCailleach I've never ever heard anyone pronounce it Shan

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 27/10/2020 19:52

Love it

Pieceofpurplesky · 27/10/2020 19:48

I have been teaching over 20 years and there are always a Sean or two on roll (less now). So I don't see it as dated as others do. I like it. Simple and unfussy.

Also Sean Bean.

Firebird83 · 27/10/2020 19:42

I think it’s handsome.

JanewaysBun · 27/10/2020 19:30

Very cute. I know an adult sean, no idea of his heritage but i think it's a nice name