A 1980s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Shirin since 1938
Babies named Shirin per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 12 |
| 1960s | 52 |
| 1970s | 86 |
| 1980s | 176 |
| 1990s | 136 |
| 2000s | 134 |
| 2010s | 133 |
| 2020s | 67 |
Meaning & origin
Shirin entered U.S. records in 1938 but remained exceptionally rare for decades. Its popularity peaked in 1985, around the time of increased cultural exchange with Iran. Following a period of decline, the name has been rising since 2020, reflecting a broader revival of mid-century and culturally distinctive names. Though not currently associated with any top states, Shirin's trajectory suggests growing appeal among parents seeking a name with literary depth and a sweet meaning. With only 1 in 107,151 newborns receiving the name in 2025, it remains distinctive yet accessible.
Shirin derives from Middle Persian, ultimately from the Old Persian root *śrī- meaning 'sweet' or 'pleasant'. It is a classic name in Persian literature, most famously borne by the tragic heroine of the 12th-century romance 'Khosrow and Shirin' by Nezami Ganjavi, which cemented its popularity across the Persian-speaking world and beyond into Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Indian subcontinent.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shiri, Shir
Sibling names for Shirin
Names that share Shirin's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Laleh, Parisa, Nazanin, Golnaz, Yasmin, Anahita, Bahar, Pari, Sadaf, Shabnam, Delara, Ladan, Maral, Mithra, Azadeh, Bita, Dorna, Nasrin, Sanaz, Setareh, Setayesh, Taraneh, Yalda
Brothers: Arash, Darius, Kaveh, Rostam, Sohrab, Arvin, Azad, Bijan, Kamran, Navid, Omid, Ramin, Saman, Shayan, Ashkan, Babak, Dastan, Farhad, Kasra, Kourosh, Mehran, Omeed, Payam, Bobak, Dariush, Farzad, Parvin, Shahin, Shervin, Yashar
