Seamus
Seamus is a boys' name of Irish origin meaning “supplanter.”
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how do you pronounce Seamus?
SHAY-mus
where does the name Seamus come from?
Séamus is the Irish form of James, from the Hebrew Ya'akov, Jacob, by way of the Latin Iacomus or Iacobus and the Greek Iakobos. The Hebrew root is read as to follow or be behind, or to supplant, or linked with the word for heel.
The Irish form of James, Séamus is one of the most recognized Irish names worldwide thanks to Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney. The name carries deep literary and cultural weight. It embodies the Irish tradition of poetry, scholarship, and resistance.
how popular is this name?
Seamus has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 23 years since 1995. It peaked at #734 in 2003, and ranked #977 in 2017.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2017 | #977 |
| 2016 | #952 |
| 2015 | #946 |
| 2014 | #898 |
| 2013 | #862 |
| 2012 | #838 |
| 2011 | #836 |
| 2010 | #874 |
| 2009 | #806 |
| 2008 | #753 |
| 2003 | #734 |
| 2000 | #824 |
| 1995 | #970 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Seamus fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Seamus
The name came into Irish and Scottish Gaelic from a French form of the Late Latin Iacomus.
who are famous people named Seamus?
- Seamus Heaney (Nobel Prize-winning Irish poet)
- Séamus Ó Riain (President of the GAA)
what are the nicknames and variants of Seamus?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Seamus?
what names go well with Seamus?
Sibling names that share Seamus's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Seamus
What does the name Seamus mean?
Seamus means “supplanter”.
What is the origin of the name Seamus?
Seamus comes from the Irish naming tradition. Related forms include Seumas and James.
How popular is the name Seamus?
Seamus ranked #977 in the US in 2017, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2003, at #734, and it has spent 23 years in the top 1,000 since 1995.
Is Seamus a boy or girl name?
Seamus is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Seamus?
Seamus is pronounced SHAY-mus, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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