Girl · 31st of 19,264
Shannon
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
348,046
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1970
Peak Popularity Year
16,118
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Shannon 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
The name Shannon has Irish origins linked to the River Shannon and the Gaelic term 'Sionna'. It means 'old river' or 'river of knowledge'. The name evolved from Sionna to its current form in English-speaking contexts. Shannon has a friendly, accessible image and has become popular as a feminine name since the 20th century. There is no biblical relevance associated with the name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈʃænən/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Shannon is derived from the River Shannon, which is the longest river in Ireland. The river's name comes from the Gaelic 'Sionna', which is believed to be linked to the ancient goddess Sionna.
Meaning
The name is commonly understood to mean 'old river' or 'river of knowledge'.
Language Evolution
Sionna, Shannon
Historical Usage
Shannon gained popularity as a given name in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, where it became popularized through its use as a feminine name.
Variants & Derivatives
Shanna, Shan, Shanice
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Shannon is seen as a versatile name that can be used for both genders, though it is more commonly given to girls. It has a friendly and approachable image.
Famous People
Shannon Elizabeth - actress and model, Shannon Leto - musician and actor, Shannon Doherty - actress, Shannon Hoon - musician
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 16,118 peak births in 1970
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 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 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1404th of 7545 | 428 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1175th of 6773 | 614 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 499th of 7552 | 4,272 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 141st of 10718 | 33,319 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 364th of 16616 | 9,762 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 932nd of 24088 | 3,098 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2086th of 23106 | 827 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 4054th of 9107 | 90 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 950th of 9204 | 1,072 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 317th of 12526 | 14,986 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 31st of 19264 | 149,328 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 51st of 27321 | 104,721 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 222nd of 35406 | 23,536 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1391st of 30306 | 1,977 |