Shannon
Shannon: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈʃænən/
Meaning and origin of Shannon
- A unisex given name transferred from the surname or place name (from the river); first used in the USA in early 20th century, and only recently in Ireland.
Etymology
Borrowed from Irish Sionainn.
How popular is Shannon?
Since 1880, 295,782 girls and 52,379 boys in the U.S. have been named Shannon (85% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #17 in 1976. Its highest rank for boys was #94 in 1972. In 2025, 116 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Shannon
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Irish unisex names
Sibling name ideas for Shannon
Sister and brother names that share Shannon's Irish roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Shannon FAQ
What does the name Shannon mean?
A unisex given name transferred from the surname or place name (from the river); first used in the USA in early 20th century, and only recently in Ireland. Borrowed from Irish Sionainn.
What is the origin of the name Shannon?
Shannon is listed as a name of Irish origin.
How popular is the name Shannon?
Since 1880, 295,782 girls and 52,379 boys in the U.S. have been named Shannon (85% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #17 in 1976. Its highest rank for boys was #94 in 1972. In 2025, 116 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Shannon a boy or girl name?
Shannon is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (295,782 girls and 52,379 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.