Boy · 175th of 16,616
Shaun
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
73,527
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1978
Peak Popularity Year
6,221
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Shaun stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
Jump to a section
Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Shaun is an Irish name derived from 'Seán', which is a form of 'John'. It means 'God is gracious' and has evolved through various languages including Latin and Old English. The name is often associated with creativity and has gained popularity in the late 20th century. Shaun does not have a biblical background, and its variants include Sean and Shawn.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ʃɔːn/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
Shaun is derived from the Irish name 'Seán', which is a variant of the name 'John'.
Meaning
God is gracious
Language Evolution
Iohannes (Latin), Johannes (Greek), John (Old English), Seán (Irish), Shaun (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Shaun gained popularity in English-speaking countries in the late 20th century, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s.
Variants & Derivatives
Sean, Shawn, Shon
Modern Popularity & Image
Shaun is often perceived as a modern and friendly name, commonly associated with creativity and warmth.
Famous People
Shaun White (snowboarder), Shaun T (fitness trainer), Shaun of the Dead (fictional character)
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:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,221 peak births in 1978
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 16 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 | 2573rd of 6773 | 161 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 564th of 7552 | 3,334 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 164th of 10718 | 26,839 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 175th of 16616 | 27,158 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 418th of 24088 | 10,379 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1008th of 23106 | 2,527 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 8681st of 9204 | 6 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1564th of 12526 | 845 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1274th of 19264 | 1,410 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2875th of 27321 | 602 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 7808th of 35406 | 227 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 17255th of 30306 | 39 |