Senan
Say it: SEN-an
BoyIrishMeans usually linked to sean, "old"5 letters2 syllables
#38
in Ireland (2025)
#33 with spellings combined
150
babies in 2025
#33
best rank (2025)
2,831
babies since 1964
Up 23
10-year rank change
Senan through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 150 | #33 |
| 2024 | 124 | #48 |
| 2023 | 96 | #67 |
| 2022 | 134 | #49 |
| 2021 | 146 | #46 |
| 2020 | 137 | #44 |
| 2019 | 168 | #35 |
| 2018 | 121 | #57 |
| 2017 | 125 | #57 |
| 2016 | 128 | #58 |
| 2015 | 136 | #56 |
| 2014 | 140 | #60 |
| 2013 | 147 | #58 |
| 2012 | 126 | #65 |
| 2011 | 121 | #67 |
| 2010 | 103 | #74 |
| 2009 | 96 | #85 |
| 2008 | 97 | #85 |
| 2007 | 72 | #101 |
| 2006 | 65 | #95 |
| 2005 | 54 | #106 |
| 2004 | 48 | #113 |
| 2003 | 25 | #156 |
| 2002 | 14 | #204 |
| 2001 | 10 | #226 |
| 2000 | 8 | #236 |
| 1999 | 8 | #222 |
| 1998 | 8 | #222 |
| 1997 | 17 | #174 |
| 1996 | 10 | #223 |
| 1995 | 11 | #206 |
| 1994 | 5 | #263 |
| 1993 | 8 | #223 |
| 1992 | 4 | #298 |
| 1991 | 3 | #324 |
| 1990 | 4 | #286 |
| 1989 | 6 | #232 |
| 1988 | 6 | #235 |
| 1987 | 6 | #235 |
| 1986 | 8 | #217 |
| 1985 | 9 | #202 |
| 1984 | 9 | #205 |
| 1983 | 6 | #237 |
| 1982 | 4 | #286 |
| 1981 | 6 | #246 |
| 1980 | 6 | #252 |
| 1979 | 5 | #269 |
| 1978 | 4 | #283 |
| 1977 | 6 | #253 |
| 1976 | 7 | #232 |
| 1975 | 9 | #216 |
| 1974 | 10 | #208 |
| 1973 | 7 | #238 |
| 1972 | 5 | #254 |
| 1971 | 6 | #242 |
| 1970 | 7 | #219 |
| 1969 | 7 | #216 |
| 1968 | 4 | #243 |
| 1967 | 5 | #222 |
| 1966 | 4 | #229 |
| 1965 | 4 | #222 |
| 1964 | 6 | #191 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0. Spellings with and without fadas are combined; the CSO only recorded fadas from 2018.
★ What does Senan mean?
Usually linked to sean, "old"
Irish Senán, usually traced to sean (old) with the small ending -án.
Say it right
SENan
The fada in the Irish spelling Senán marks a long second vowel, closer to SEN-awn.
The story of Senan
Senan comes from the Irish Senán, which is usually traced to sean, old, with the small ending -án. It is often explained as little old one or little wise one. Some writers have also linked it to the old name behind the River Shannon, though that idea is speculative.
The best-known bearer is Saint Senan, born around 488 near Kilrush in County Clare. After studying in Ireland and travelling to Britain and the Continent, he founded a monastery on Scattery Island, Inis Cathaigh, at the mouth of the Shannon. He is counted among the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.
The CSO counts Senan and Senán separately. The name was given quietly for decades before taking off in the 2000s, and it peaked in 2019 with 168 babies. In 2025 both spellings together reached number 33, while Senan on its own was 38th.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Senán mac Geircinn
- Wikipedia: Senan
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, Baby names in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Senan | 126 | 2,672 |
| Senán | 24 | 159 |
In Northern Ireland
#75 in 2025 with 32 babies. Best rank #65 (2020); 459 babies since 2003.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.