Declining since 1990.
Popularity of Shan since 1944
Babies named Shan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 51 | 5 |
| 1950s | 171 | 95 |
| 1960s | 254 | 346 |
| 1970s | 239 | 540 |
| 1980s | 88 | 337 |
| 1990s | 39 | 362 |
| 2000s | 17 | 313 |
| 2010s | 5 | 182 |
| 2020s | 0 | 44 |
Meaning & origin
Shan is a given name with multiple possible origins, most notably as an anglicized variant of the Irish name Sean. Its peak usage in the United States occurred in 1969, though it has never appeared in the national top 1000. The name has been in consistent but rare use since its first recorded occurrence in 1944. Since 1990, its trajectory has been falling, reflecting a broader decline in short, single-syllable names. While not strongly associated with any particular region or demographic, Shan provides a compact alternative to its more common variants.
Shan may be an anglicized spelling of the Irish name Sean, itself derived from Jean through the Hebrew Yohanan, meaning 'God is gracious.' Alternatively, in Chinese, Shan (山) means 'mountain' or can be a transcription of other characters. The name's modern usage in English-speaking countries often reflects the spelling variation of Sean or a standalone given name.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Shan
Names that share Shan's style, for a brother or sister.
