Declining since 1985, #681 for boys today.
Popularity of Shawn since 1931
Babies named Shawn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 24 | 40 |
| 1940s | 261 | 459 |
| 1950s | 3,996 | 6,460 |
| 1960s | 13,087 | 47,795 |
| 1970s | 11,362 | 105,790 |
| 1980s | 2,704 | 65,598 |
| 1990s | 1,063 | 42,483 |
| 2000s | 345 | 24,198 |
| 2010s | 146 | 10,673 |
| 2020s | 67 | 3,046 |
Meaning & origin
Shawn, an Anglicized form of the Irish Seán, has been a familiar boys' name in the United States since the early 20th century. First recorded in 1931, the name entered the top 100 in the 1950s and climbed to its peak popularity in 1973, when it ranked 31st nationally. Since the mid-1980s, its use has steadily declined; as of 2025 it stands at rank 681, with about 1 in 4,281 newborn boys receiving the name. The name has been especially well received in states such as Delaware, Maryland, and Kansas. Shawn's trajectory reflects a broader shift away from traditional Irish names that peaked in the 1970s, but it retains a solid, recognizable presence.
Shawn is an Anglicized form of the Irish name Seán, which itself derives from the French Jean, ultimately from the Latin Ioannes and Greek Ioannes, meaning 'God is gracious'. The name has been used in Ireland since the Middle Ages and became widely popular in English-speaking countries during the 20th century.
Where Shawn is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Shawn” around the world
Where Shawn lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Quebec
9
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shawny, Shaunie
Sibling names for Shawn
Names that share Shawn's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Erin, Megan, Caitlin, Bridget, Katherine, Candice, Robyn, Kandace, Maranda, Misti, Shanika, Shellie, Audrea, Charmayne, Jenee, Kathaleen, Kecia, Lauran, Shanae, Shanise, Shawnna, Shawnta, Tameika, Tarsha, Twana, Charelle, Chauntel, Crissa, Diondra, Dondra, Dwanna, Genise, Kamie, Latisa, Leshia, Lynnae, Marshay, Nakeia, Shada, Shakela, Shanetta, Shantavia, Shantrice, Sharanda, Shawnice, Shawntel, Shawntell, Shenequa, Sherria, Tasheka, Tauna, Tawnie, Trecia, Wendee, Chantia, Devonda, Kaniesha, Karisha, Kimela, Koleen, Koreen, Lamanda, Moneka, Shalisha, Shamona, Shaneen, Shantay, Sharea, Shareena, Sharena, Sharnette, Shaunice, Shauntelle, Shauntia, Shawnita, Shawntee, Shawntia, Shemika, Shenique, Sherae, Taquana, Tashea, Tishia, Tomeika, Shanasia, Shannette, Shawnese, Shawniece, Brendy, Chauna, Coriann, Dawnna, Eleshia, Kinesha, Shabrea, Shadana, Shalawn, Shamyia, Shaterria, Shatora, Shaunita, Shawndrea, Shawnia, Shawnika, Shawntina, Shawnya, Shelise, Sherhonda, Shonita, Takeysha, Tawyna, Teniqua, Tennile, Tericka, Terisha
Brothers: Brian, Kevin, Patrick, Ryan, Sean, Dillon, Lamont, Tyrone, Danell, Daren, Deandre, Corry, Jarrad, Lashaun, Duaine, Dushawn, Gerrell, Khris, Tyrome, Airon, Chawn, Jaishawn, Janeil, Korry, Kshawn, Shawndale, Shawon, Jayshun, Jshon, Rishawn, Ronte, Sedale, Shaquill
Names like Shawn
Names whose popularity has moved with Shawn's over the last 50 years.
