How Many People Are Named Shawn?
Complete statistics for the name Shawn: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Shawn is an Irish-rooted form of John, meaning 'God is gracious,' and it's a name that had a serious moment in American culture. About 310,556 people named Shawn are living in the US today, making it 1 in 1,063 Americans. Its peak in 1971 with nearly 15,000 births in a single year shows just how big it got.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 2 is traditionally associated with harmony, cooperation, and sensitivity. People linked to the number 2 are seen as natural peacemakers who thrive in partnership and bring balance to those around them.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 46All 339,174 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: 1971Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Shawn Through the Generations
Shawn had a long run at the top, spending 29 years in the US top 10, which explains why the bulk of its 310,556 living bearers are concentrated in the 30-60 age bracket. That group makes up 75% of all living Shawns, about 253,284 people, which lines up almost perfectly with the name's peak popularity through the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. The 1971 peak of 14,688 births in a single year is the high-water mark of that era. Only 14% of living Shawns are under 30, just 48,043 people, which tells the real story: parents today have largely moved on from this name. It's declining, not dramatically, but steadily. The gap between all-time births of 339,174 and the estimated 310,556 living today is relatively small, suggesting most Shawns were born recent enough that the majority are still with us, clustering around an average age of 46.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Shawn
Shawn is a unisex given name, an anglicized spelling of the Irish name Seán. Alternate spellings include Shawne, Shaun, Shon and Sean.…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Shawn's Irish roots
📄 About the Name Shawn
How Many People Have the Name Shawn?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 972 people in the United States currently share the name Shawn. That works out to roughly 1 in every 340,997 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Shawn a Common or Rare Name?
Shawn is classified as Very Rare. 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 Shawn Mean?
Shawn means "God is gracious" and comes from Irish origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 2.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Shawn in SSA data, approximately 90% are male and 10% are female.
When Was Shawn Most Popular?
The name Shawn reached peak popularity in 1971, with 14,688 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
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 Shawn?
Approximately 972 people named Shawn live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 972. That works out to roughly 1 in 340,997 Americans.
Is Shawn a rare name?
Shawn is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 340,997 Americans has this name.
What does the name Shawn mean?
Shawn means "God is gracious" and comes from Irish origins.
Is Shawn more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 90% of people named Shawn are male and 10% are female.
When was Shawn most popular?
Shawn peaked in 1971 with 14,688 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
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.