Declining since 1992, #2,765 for boys today.
Popularity of Sheldon since 1881
Babies named Sheldon per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1992, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Sheldon's real moment was 1934.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 36 |
| 1890s | 41 |
| 1900s | 126 |
| 1910s | 1,037 |
| 1920s | 3,078 |
| 1930s | 4,296 |
| 1940s | 4,038 |
| 1950s | 3,804 |
| 1960s | 4,032 |
| 1970s | 3,557 |
| 1980s | 3,340 |
| 1990s | 4,837 |
| 2000s | 2,469 |
| 2010s | 1,579 |
| 2020s | 406 |
Meaning & origin
Sheldon is an English surname-turned-first name, rooted in Old English place names meaning 'steep-sided valley.' It entered occasional use as a given name in the late 19th century, with the first recorded instance in 1881. The name reached its peak popularity in 1934, ranking as a top choice in that era. Since 1992, its usage has been declining, but it remains in steady use, with about 1 in 37,132 boys receiving the name in 2025. Geographically, Sheldon has been most common in Florida and California, reflecting its broader American distribution. The name's trajectory shows a falling trend, but it retains a classic, understated feel, often associated with earnestness and intelligence.
Sheldon is an English surname turned given name, derived from a place name meaning 'valley with steep sides' or 'hill slope' in Old English (scylf 'shelf, slope' + denu 'valley'). It originated as a habitational name from various locations in England, such as Sheldon in Devon and Warwickshire. The name saw modest use as a first name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, peaking in the 1930s, partly influenced by the prominent Sheldon family of banking and philanthropy.
Where Sheldon 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.
“Sheldon” around the world
Where Sheldon 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: Shel, Shelly
Sibling names for Sheldon
Names that share Sheldon's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Sheldon
Names whose popularity has moved with Sheldon's over the last 50 years.
