Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
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
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
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
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 (16 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 16 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
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
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
50.51% 786th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
23.71% 528th/2227 |
15.35% 373rd/2430 |
31.16% 889th/2853 |
16.07% 446th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
4.66% 137th/2937 |
3.85% 134th/3483 |
5.91% 208th/3518 |
3.86% 156th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
4.12% 152nd/3685 |
2.77% 124th/4475 |
3.95% 205th/5194 |
3.13% 198th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
9.23% 423rd/4582 |
6.06% 313th/5164 |
6.06% 443rd/7313 |
6.40% 478th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
25.50% 1016th/3984 |
18.81% 844th/4487 |
15.67% 1069th/6822 |
17.18% 1078th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
56.58% 1260th/2227 |
70.95% 1724th/2430 |
66.70% 1903rd/2853 |
42.59% 1182nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
38.20% 1122nd/2937 |
41.09% 1431st/3483 |
47.53% 1672nd/3518 |
31.73% 1283rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
75.33% 2776th/3685 |
80.78% 3615th/4475 |
63.75% 3311th/5194 |
59.54% 3761st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Hawaii across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2573rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 564th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 164th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 175th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 418th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1008th out of 23106 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 8681st out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1564th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1274th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2875th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 7808th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 17255th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.