Holding steady.
Popularity of Shahab since 1977
Babies named Shahab per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 16 |
| 1980s | 33 |
| 1990s | 46 |
| 2000s | 30 |
| 2010s | 33 |
| 2020s | 24 |
Meaning & origin
Shahab entered U.S. naming records in 1977, the first year it was recorded for any birth. It reached its peak usage in 2017, though it has never broken into the national top 1000, remaining a rare but steady choice. The name's trajectory is stable, showing consistent but low-level use over the decades. Its meaning, 'meteor' or 'shooting star,' carries celestial imagery that appeals to families seeking a distinctive name with roots in Arabic and Persian culture. Despite its rarity, Shahab has not been recorded in any top state data, indicating its use is scattered across the country.
Shahab derives from the Arabic word شهاب (shihāb), meaning 'meteor' or 'shooting star.' In Persian, it carries the same meaning. The name has been used across the Arabic-speaking world and in Iran, often evoking imagery of celestial light and brightness.
“Shahab” around the world
Where Shahab lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shabi, Habib, Habi
Sibling names for Shahab
Names that share Shahab's style, for a brother or sister.
