Declining since 2007, #8,243 for boys today.
Popularity of Shamus since 1959
Babies named Shamus per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 7 |
| 1960s | 38 |
| 1970s | 339 |
| 1980s | 280 |
| 1990s | 350 |
| 2000s | 502 |
| 2010s | 220 |
| 2020s | 42 |
Meaning & origin
Shamus is a distinctly Irish form of James, serving as an Anglicized version of Séamus. Despite its long history in Ireland, the name has never achieved widespread popularity in the United States. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1959 and reached its peak rank in 2007 at number 8,243. Since 2007, its use has been declining, reflecting a broader trend away from this particular spelling. In 2025, the name was still given to a small number of boys, with an estimated 1 in 189,786 receiving it. While not common, Shamus offers a direct connection to Irish heritage, similar to other Gaelic names like Declan or Finn.
Shamus is an Anglicized form of the Irish name Séamus, the Gaelic version of James. James itself comes from the Hebrew name Yaakov (Jacob), meaning 'supplanter.' Shamus has been used in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora since the 19th century, often as a given name or nickname.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shay
Sibling names for Shamus
Names that share Shamus's style, for a brother or sister.
