How Many People Are Named Shaw?
Complete statistics for the name Shaw: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Shaw means 'a small wood' and is a rare name for boys. Only 1,291 people named Shaw live in the US today, which means 1 in 255,671 Americans have this name. It's a rising trend, peaking in 2016 with 39 births.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 6 represents harmony, balance, and responsibility.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 30All 1,371 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 2016Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Shaw Through the Generations
Shaw, a name rooted in Old English, has seen a resurgence in recent years. With 1,371 total births recorded since its inception, it's clear that Shaw is becoming increasingly popular among younger parents. The majority of those named Shaw are under 30, indicating a strong preference for this name among the modern generation.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Shaw's Old English roots
📄 About the Name Shaw
How Many People Have the Name Shaw?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 155,184 people in the United States currently share the name Shaw. That works out to roughly 1 in every 2,136 Americans, placing it in the Uncommon category.
Is Shaw a Common or Rare Name?
Shaw is classified as Uncommon. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Shaw Mean?
Shaw means "small wood" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 6.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Shaw in SSA data, approximately 96% are male and 4% are female.
When Was Shaw Most Popular?
The name Shaw reached peak popularity in 2016, with 39 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Shaw?
Approximately 155,184 people named Shaw live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 155,184. That works out to roughly 1 in 2,136 Americans.
Is Shaw a rare name?
Shaw is classified as Uncommon in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 2,136 Americans has this name.
What does the name Shaw mean?
Shaw means "small wood" and comes from Old English origins.
Is Shaw more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 96% of people named Shaw are male and 4% are female.
When was Shaw most popular?
Shaw peaked in 2016 with 39 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.