Why is the name 'shawn' also spelled 'sean'? How does it become that spelling?

Sean is the original. Shawn is our screwed up American English version, because people didn't know how to spell except phonetically.

Why is the name 'shawn' also spelled 'sean'? How does it become that spelling?
Sean is Irish for the name "John"
Reply:thats a good question ive always wondered that. i always say sean like seen and embarass myself
Reply:shawn is not specific like sean
Reply:I actualy don't know the answer to this one
Reply:French exactly.
Reply:French!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply:Irish pronunciation would read the "se" as "sh" so you'd end up with "Sean" sounding like "Shan". "Shawn" and "Shaun" are spelling variations that make the name phonetically easier to read. Likewise "Seamus" becomes "Shamus".

bleeding heart