Shaun

Shaun is an English-letter spelling of the Irish name Seán, which belongs to the John family. Through that history, it ultimately comes from a Hebrew name meaning that God is gracious. The spelling makes the familiar sh sound especially visible to English readers while preserving the name’s connection with Irish Seán.

Sean and Shawn are the closest spellings to compare, rather than separate names with unrelated meanings. Shaun also has a recognizable place in contemporary entertainment, including the title character of the film Shaun of the Dead. That association sits alongside a much older linguistic story. For families honoring a John or Seán, Shaun offers a form with a familiar English spelling and the same underlying name heritage.