Irish boy name
Seanán Name Meaning, Origin & Pronunciation
Seanán means little old one. From the Irish sean, old, with a diminutive ending
Seanán is an Irish name from sean, meaning old or wise, plus a small ending. It is linked to Saint Seanán, or Senan, who founded a monastery on Scattery Island in the Shannon estuary. The saint's popularity spread the name along the western coast of Ireland. Seanán has a warm, rounded sound and is gaining attention as parents turn to saints' names. The anglicised Senan is also in use. It is a good option for families who like Seán but want something more distinctive.
Variants of Seanán
ShananSenanSeanan
Seanán popularity: Ireland vs the US
In 2025 Seanán ranked #787 in Ireland (3 babies) and #6,190 in the US (12 babies). It is far more popular in Ireland than in America.
Ireland (boys)United States (boys)
Rank among babies of the same sex, 1 = most popular (log scale). Ranks below #10,000 sit on the bottom edge. Gaps mean fewer than 3 Irish or 5 US babies that year.
Data: US Social Security Administration (public domain) and Central Statistics Office, Ireland (CC BY 4.0). Irish accented spellings (such as Síle) are only recorded from 2018, so earlier years combine spellings.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Seanán mean?
Seanán means "little old one". From the Irish sean, old, with a diminutive ending.
How do you pronounce Seanán?
Seanán is pronounced SHAN-awn.
What is the origin of Seanán?
Seanán is of Irish origin. From the Irish sean, old, with a diminutive ending.