Se%c3%a1n

Seán is the Irish form of John, itself derived from the Hebrew Yohanan, meaning God is gracious. It entered Irish through the Old French Jehan, brought to Ireland by Anglo-Norman settlers in the medieval period, and gradually became thoroughly naturalized in the Irish-speaking world. The name has been borne by countless figures in Irish history, literature, and politics, making it one of the most common masculine names in Ireland. Related forms include Shane and Shawn, which reflect different anglicizations of the Irish pronunciation, as well as the Scottish Gaelic Iain and the Welsh Siôn.