MallowbyNames

Shivan

शिवन्SHIV-an · Of uncertain origin; possibly derived from Sanskrit 'shiva' meaning 'auspicious' or 'kind', or a variant of 'Shiv'.

2025 rank (boys)
#7,679
Babies named in 2025
10
Peak popularity
2023
2025 frequency
1 in 170,808 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Declining since 2022

Declining since 2022, #7,679 for boys today.

Popularity of Shivan since 1986

Babies named Shivan per year in U.S. Social Security records.

510151990200020102020Most births 2023Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1980s19
1990s29
2000s52
2010s52
2020s58

Meaning & origin

Shivan first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1986, and its popularity has grown modestly, peaking in 2023. As of 2025, it ranked 7,679 with an incidence of 1 in 170,808. The name has been on a slight downward trajectory since 2022, suggesting it may be falling out of favor. While not top-ranked in any state, Shivan fits a modern trend of Sanskrit-derived names entering Western usage. Its etymology is debated, but it likely connects to the Hindu deity Shiva, giving it spiritual resonance for some families.

Shivan is likely a derivation of the Sanskrit word 'śiva' (शिव), meaning 'auspicious' or 'kind', which is the name of the Hindu god Shiva. It may also be a variant of the name Shiv, a popular name in India. The name Shivan has been used in English-speaking countries since the late 20th century.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Shiv, Shivi, Van

Variants: Shiv, Shivann, Shivaan

Sibling names for Shivan

Names that share Shivan's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Anaya, Kavya, Maya, Priya, Sonia

Brothers: Arjun, Dev, Kiran, Ravi, Sohan

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

S is for Shivan, our favorite little boy.

S is for Shivan…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Shivan's letter becomes Shivan's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Shivan's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Shivan mean?
The meaning of Shivan is uncertain. It is possibly derived from Sanskrit 'shiva' meaning 'auspicious' or 'kind', or it may be a variant of 'Shiv'.
How popular is the name Shivan?
In 2025, Shivan ranked 7,679 in popularity in the United States, with approximately 1 in 170,808 baby boys given this name.
Is Shivan a boy's or girl's name?
Shivan is almost exclusively used as a boy's name, but it could be considered unisex.