Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Seamus
BoyIrish, Hebrew· “holder of the heel, supplanter”
- Meaning
- holder of the heel, supplanter
- Origin
- Irish, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- SHAY-muhs
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,280
- US babies 2025
- 154
- Best rank
- #735 (2003)
- Peak year
- 2008
Meaning and origin of Seamus
Seamus is an Irish and Hebrew name that means “holder of the heel, supplanter”.
Seamus is the Irish form of James, which comes from the Hebrew Yaakov, Jacob, traditionally interpreted as "holder of the heel" or "supplanter." The name has deep roots in Ireland, and the Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney gave it literary fame. The Irish spelling Séamus and the anglicized Shamus are also used. Seamus has a lilting, distinctive sound that surprises people who see the spelling for the first time, since it is pronounced SHAY-muhs. Shay is a popular nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Shamus.
Popularity over time
Seamus first appears in US Social Security records in 1957. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 23 different years, starting in 1995. Its best national rank was #735 in 2003, and the most babies received it in 2008, when 298 were named Seamus. In 2025, 154 babies were named Seamus, and it ranked #1,280 nationally. That is 30% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,338 in 1980, #828 in 2000, #875 in 2010, and #1,280 in 2025. Of the 7,809 US boys named Seamus since records began, 31% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 2,268 babies. Since 2010, 3,146 more have been named Seamus.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Justus, Jamarcus, Ean, Aedan, and Gaige.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Seamus ranked highest in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Missouri.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #295 | 20 |
| Pennsylvania | #570 | 17 |
| Missouri | #776 | 7 |
| Minnesota | #793 | 6 |
| Michigan | #822 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Seamus is usually pronounced SHAY-muhs, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with S and ends in “-us”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Shamus.
Middle names for Seamus
A few middle names that flow with Seamus: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Seamus
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Lists that include Seamus
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Seamus mean?
Seamus is an Irish and Hebrew name that means “holder of the heel, supplanter”.
What is the origin of the name Seamus?
Seamus has Irish and Hebrew roots. Seamus is the Irish form of James, which comes from the Hebrew Yaakov, Jacob, traditionally interpreted as "holder of the heel" or "supplanter." The name has deep roots in Ireland, and the Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney gave it literary fame.
Is Seamus a popular name?
Not especially. Seamus ranked #1,280 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Seamus a boy or girl name?
Seamus is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Seamus?
Seamus is usually pronounced SHAY-muhs. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings