SEAN BROWN

Anglicized spelling of Seán (pronounced ‘shawn’), Irish equivalent of John. The name has always been common in Ireland, but since the 1960s has frequently been chosen (usually without the accent) by parents who have no Irish connections. One influence on its popularity has been the actor Sean Connery (b. 1930), of James Bond fame.

English, Scottish, and Irish: generally a nickname referring to the color of the hair or complexion, Middle English br(o)un, from Old English brūn or Old French brun. This word is occasionally found in Old English and Old Norse as a personal name or byname. Brun- was also a Germanic name-forming element. Some instances of Old English Brūn as a personal name may therefore be short forms of compound names such as Brūngar, Brūnwine, etc. As a Scottish and Irish name, it sometimes represents a translation of Gaelic Donn. As an American family name, it has absorbed numerous surnames from other languages with the same meaning.