Declining since 1985, #1,250 for girls today.
Popularity of Sharon since 1900
Babies named Sharon per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 17 |
| 1910s | 133 |
| 1920s | 1,063 |
| 1930s | 31,083 |
| 1940s | 221,237 |
| 1950s | 232,807 |
| 1960s | 154,905 |
| 1970s | 47,768 |
| 1980s | 16,502 |
| 1990s | 8,449 |
| 2000s | 5,085 |
| 2010s | 2,833 |
| 2020s | 1,142 |
Meaning & origin
Sharon is a Hebrew name derived from the biblical Plain of Sharon, a fertile coastal region. It entered the American naming landscape in the early 20th century, first appearing in Social Security records in 1900. The name experienced a meteoric rise in popularity, peaking in 1943 when it became a common choice for baby girls. By that peak year, Sharon was a top favorite, though today its usage has declined significantly, with a rank of 1250 in 2025 and only 1 in 8979 girls receiving the name. This fall has been steady since 1985, reflecting a broader shift away from mid-century naming styles. Despite its decline, Sharon retains a classic familiarity, particularly in states like Wisconsin, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, where it has historically seen higher usage.
Sharon derives from the Hebrew word 'yashar,' meaning 'straight' or 'level,' and originally referred to the Plain of Sharon, a fertile region along the Mediterranean coast mentioned in the Bible. The name was used occasionally as a given name for boys in Jewish communities before the 20th century but became predominantly feminine after the 1920s in English-speaking countries, likely influenced by the popularity of similar-sounding names like Marion and Sherry. Its widespread use in the mid-20th century United States was spurred by the character Sharon Falconer in Sinclair Lewis's 1927 novel 'Elmer Gantry' and further boosted by the 1960 film adaptation.
Where Sharon is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Sharon” around the world
Where Sharon lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shari, Sherry, Shaz
Sibling names for Sharon
Names that share Sharon's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Donna, Susan, Deborah, Angela, Yolanda, Brenda, Carol, Cheryl, Darlene, Doreen, Janice, Karen, Kathy, Sandra, Tina, Vicki, Caren, Cherlyn, Deann, Deanne, Jerri, Jolyn, Laureen, Luann, Ronna, Sharilyn, Sharla, Shelia, Sondra, Carmon, Darice, Kareen, Lonna, Shalon, Sharell, Sharyl, Sherilyn, Sherrell, Shirleen, Brendalee, Charlynn, Charyl, Delynn, Drenda, Dyanne, Gerilyn, Glennda, Karene, Karole, Lorilee, Pamla, Roshell, Sandrea, Sharalyn, Sharin, Sharmon, Sharna, Sharol, Sharona, Sharrell, Sheliah, Sheran, Sherian, Sherida, Sheril, Sherine, Sherlene, Sherre, Sherrice, Sheryle, Shirelle, Suann, Terrilynn, Trenda, Yulonda, Calleen, Cherell, Cherron, Cheryln, Cheryn, Debara, Debraann, Dorraine, Gaylyn, Larenda, Lorilyn, Lyne, Lynita, Pamula, Ronalee, Sharel, Sharis, Sharlette, Sharmane, Sherran, Sherrian, Sherrin, Bronda, Caran, Carloyn, Caroly, Charmon, Colinda, Deardra, Erleen, Geneen, Jennene, Latanja, Marisue, Maronda, Marshia, Rhanda, Rhenda, Rhondalyn, Rondalyn, Scharlene, Sharlena, Sharlett, Sharmel, Sharnee, Shaton, Shelie, Sherion, Sherlonda, Sherryll, Sholanda, Soundra
Brothers: Gary, Larry, Ronald, Dennis, Terry, Darryl, Duane, Jerry, Lamont, Darel, Daron, Darrel, Darron, Demond, Dwain, Garry, Jeryl, Karon, Kelvin, Aundra, Darryll, Daryll, Deryl, Dwaine, Garey, Gaylen, Gaylon, Sherron, Cheron, Darral, Daymond, Demont, Derryl, Gerad, Gerrell, Karron, Kreg, Kregg, Sherard, Tharon, Darran, Duayne, Levonne, Mandrell, Shawon, Jernard, Karmel, Levone, Shiron
Names like Sharon
Names whose popularity has moved with Sharon's over the last 50 years.
