Declining since 2021, #4,707 for boys today.
Popularity of Shaw since 1914
Babies named Shaw per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 6 |
| 1920s | 12 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 16 |
| 1960s | 71 |
| 1970s | 195 |
| 1980s | 179 |
| 1990s | 186 |
| 2000s | 205 |
| 2010s | 284 |
| 2020s | 177 |
Meaning & origin
Shaw is a surname-derived given name that evokes images of woodland landscapes. First recorded as a first name in 1914, it remained obscure for decades. The name experienced its peak popularity in 2020, when it reached its highest rank of 4,707 (though the specific rank that year is not provided here). As of 2025, it is given to roughly 1 in 81,337 boys, placing it well outside the mainstream. Since 2021, the name has been declining in use, reflecting a broader trend that may relegate it back to obscurity. Shaw has not been recorded in any top state lists, indicating its use is spread thinly across the country rather than concentrated regionally. Its straightforward sound and nature-connected meaning give it a quiet appeal for parents seeking an understated, traditional surname as a first name.
Shaw derives from Middle English shawe, meaning 'a small wood or thicket,' itself from Old English sceaga. Originally a surname given to someone who lived near a copse or grove, it transitioned to occasional use as a given name, often honoring family surnames. Its adoption as a first name remained infrequent through the 20th century but showed a mild uptick in the 2010s.
Sibling names for Shaw
Names that share Shaw's style, for a brother or sister.
