Shawn
Shawn: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ʃɔːn/ · /ʃoːn/
Meaning and origin of Shawn
- Alternative form of Shaun, a unisex given name.
Etymology
A variant of Sean, from Irish Seán, from Old French Jehan, from Latin Jōhannēs, variant of Iōannēs, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָן (yōḥānān, yokhanán, literally “God is gracious”). Doublet of Evan, Giovanni, Ian, Ivan, Jack, Jean, Johan, Johann, Johannes, John, Juan, Sean, Shane, and Shaun as a male name. Doublet of Ivana, Jana, Jane, Janice, Janis, Jean, Jeanne, Jen, Joan, Joanna, Joanne, Johanna, Juana, Shavonne, Sian, Siobhan, Shane, Shaun, Shauna, and Sheena as a female name.
How popular is Shawn?
Since 1880, 33,055 girls and 306,542 boys in the U.S. have been named Shawn (10% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #168 in 1970. Its highest rank for boys was #27 in 1973. In 2025 it ranked #682 for boys, with 412 babies given the name.
Names similar to Shawn
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Shawn
Names that peaked around the same time as Shawn and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Shawn FAQ
What does the name Shawn mean?
Alternative form of Shaun, a unisex given name. A variant of Sean, from Irish Seán, from Old French Jehan, from Latin Jōhannēs, variant of Iōannēs, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָן (yōḥānān, yokhanán, literally “God is gracious”). Doublet of Evan, Giovanni, Ian, Ivan, Jack, Jean, Johan, Johann, Johannes, John, Juan, Sean, Shane, and Shaun as a male name. Doublet of Ivana, Jana, Jane, Janice, Janis, Jean, Jeanne, Jen, Joan, Joanna, Joanne, Johanna, Juana, Shavonne, Sian, Siobhan, Shane, Shaun, Shauna, and Sheena as a female name.
How popular is the name Shawn?
Since 1880, 33,055 girls and 306,542 boys in the U.S. have been named Shawn (10% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #168 in 1970. Its highest rank for boys was #27 in 1973. In 2025 it ranked #682 for boys, with 412 babies given the name.
Is Shawn a boy or girl name?
Shawn is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 33,055 girls and 306,542 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.