Holding steady.
Popularity of Shawnique since 1973
Babies named Shawnique per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1990, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Shawnique's real moment was 1975.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 32 |
| 1980s | 27 |
| 1990s | 42 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Shawnique is a distinctive name that emerged in the early 1970s, fitting a trend of creating new feminine names by combining existing short forms (like Shawn) with soft, French-inspired endings. Its first recorded use in the United States was in 1973, and it quickly saw its highest usage the following year, 1975. Since then, the name has remained relatively uncommon, never breaking into the top ranks. While no specific top states are recorded for the name, its use appears to have been nationwide but sparse. The trajectory of Shawnique over time has been stable, meaning its already low frequency has remained steady rather than growing or declining sharply. For parents seeking a truly rare and modern-sounding name, Shawnique offers a creative blend that honors the timeless Shawn while adding a unique twist.
Shawnique is a modern coinage, first recorded in the United States in 1973. It combines the phonetic elements of Shawn (itself an Anglicization of the Irish Seán, from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious') with the French-derived suffix -ique, which was popular in feminine name creations during the 1970s. The name peaked in use in 1975 and has since remained rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shawna, Niki
Sibling names for Shawnique
Names that share Shawnique's style, for a brother or sister.
