Sean

Sean is the anglicized form of the Irish name Seán, itself derived from the Anglo-Norman Jehan, a form of John. The name John ultimately comes from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning God is gracious. Sean became established in Ireland after the Norman invasion and developed its own distinct Irish pronunciation. English spellings such as Shawn and Shaun reflect this pronunciation. Notable bearers include the Scottish actor Sean Connery, who was the first to portray James Bond on film, and the Irish playwright Seán O’Casey, author of Juno and the Paycock.