Declining since 1985, #10,107 for girls today.
Popularity of Shawna since 1941
Babies named Shawna per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 112 |
| 1950s | 986 |
| 1960s | 5,566 |
| 1970s | 16,180 |
| 1980s | 12,973 |
| 1990s | 7,106 |
| 2000s | 2,009 |
| 2010s | 483 |
| 2020s | 116 |
Meaning & origin
Shawna is a feminine variant of Shawn that first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1941. It reached its peak rank in 1977, reflecting the popularity of similar sounding names like Shauna and Shona during that era. Since 1985, the name has been in declining use, and by 2025 its rank had fallen to 10,107, with only about 1 in 178,585 girls receiving the name. While never among the most common names nationally, Shawna experienced its most fashionable period in the 1970s, aligning with a broader trend of Irish-inspired names and feminine forms of masculine names. Its trajectory mirrors that of other '70s favorites such as Patricia, Kelly, and Michelle, all of which have seen steady declines in recent decades.
Shawna is a feminine form of Shawn, itself an anglicization of the Irish name Seán, which derives from the French Jean and ultimately from the Latin Johannes, meaning 'God is gracious.' The variant spelling with -a emerged in the United States in the mid-20th century, part of a trend of feminizing masculine names via the -a suffix. It gained moderate popularity in the 1970s before declining.
Where Shawna 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shawny, Sha, Wawa
Sibling names for Shawna
Names that share Shawna's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Brittany, Heather, Megan, Stacey, Tara, Latanya, Cristie, Shalon, Shonna, Carlisha, Dericka, Dwanna, Korrin, Lateesha, Shaney, Shawnice, Ashleen, Davonna, Kennesha, Shaquitta, Shawntia, Shonta, Tineka, Tyshawna, Dawnna, Glenisha, Kadeidra, Lakaisha, Leanndra, Rasheka, Shakeyla, Shalawn, Shandee, Shaniquia, Shatarra, Shonia, Synethia, Tameaka, Tanique
Brothers: Bryan, Kevin, Ryan, Sean, Shaun, Tyshawn, Jorell, Trashawn, Antwoine, Taeshawn, Tayshawn, Terris, Rishawn, Schon, Shaquill
Names like Shawna
Names whose popularity has moved with Shawna's over the last 50 years.
