Declining since 1987.
Popularity of Shona since 1943
Babies named Shona per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 13 |
| 1950s | 104 |
| 1960s | 602 |
| 1970s | 958 |
| 1980s | 409 |
| 1990s | 174 |
| 2000s | 106 |
| 2010s | 37 |
| 2020s | 11 |
Meaning & origin
Shona is a Scottish and Irish feminine name meaning 'God is gracious,' derived from the Gaelic forms of John. First recorded in the U.S. in 1943, its popularity peaked in 1970, but it has been falling since 1987 and no longer ranks in the top 1000. Despite its decline, Shona retains a strong cultural identity in Scotland and Ireland, and its short, melodic sound keeps it in occasional use among families with Celtic heritage.
Shona is the Anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic name Seònaid and the Irish Gaelic name Sinéad, both feminine forms of Seán (John). John derives from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious.' Shona emerged in Scotland and Ireland and gained popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1970s when it peaked.
“Shona” around the world
Where Shona lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shon, Shawny
Sibling names for Shona
Names that share Shona's style, for a brother or sister.
