Boy · 75th of 16,616
Shane
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
195,726
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1973
Peak Popularity Year
5,932
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Shane stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Shane is an Irish name that originates from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'Yahweh is gracious.' It has evolved through various languages including Greek, Latin, and Old French before becoming popular in English as Shane. The name embodies traits of grace and friendliness, and while it has no biblical relevance, it has maintained a modern appeal through notable figures.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ʃeɪn/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
Shane is derived from the Irish name Seán, which is a variant of John. The name John comes from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'Yahweh is gracious.'
Meaning
Gracious
Language Evolution
Yochanan (Hebrew), Ioannes (Greek), Johannes (Latin), John (Old French), Seán (Irish), Shane (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Shane gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a distinctive variant of John.
Variants & Derivatives
Seán, Sean, Shay, Shayne
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Shane is perceived as a strong, modern name, often associated with a friendly and approachable personality.
Famous People
Shane Warne (Australian cricketer), Shane Black (American screenwriter and director), Shane West (American actor and musician)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 5,932 peak births in 1973
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Hawaii
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 3 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3060th of 6773 | 113 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 415th of 7552 | 6,243 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 71st of 10718 | 64,999 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 75th of 16616 | 69,677 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 160th of 24088 | 40,857 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 379th of 23106 | 10,254 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 7783rd of 9204 | 11 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3143rd of 12526 | 266 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1188th of 19264 | 1,574 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1891st of 27321 | 1,083 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4496th of 35406 | 477 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 7756th of 30306 | 172 |