Holding steady.
Popularity of Shanty since 1978
Babies named Shanty per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 73 |
| 2010s | 110 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Shanty is a rare modern name that first appeared in the United States in 1978. It has never cracked the national rankings, with its peak year coming in 2015 when it had the highest recorded usage, though still a negligible count. The name has remained stable in the decades since, never experiencing a dramatic rise or fall. Its top states of use are absent from recorded data, reflecting its scarcity across the country. Shanty likely emerged as a phonetic variant of Shanté, fitting a pattern of feminine names with a trendy 'shan-' prefix and 'ee' ending. For parents seeking a truly uncommon name with a contemporary feel, Shanty is a distinctive choice.
Shanty first appears in U.S. records in the late 1970s. It may be a phonetic variant of the name Shanté, itself a modern American coinage influenced by French-derived names like Chantal (meaning 'stone'). Alternatively, it could derive from the English word 'shanty' (a small hut or cabin), but this connection is not documented as a naming tradition. The name saw a modest peak in the 2010s but remains rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shan, Shanny
Sibling names for Shanty
Names that share Shanty's style, for a brother or sister.
