Shawn is a name of Irish origin, derived from the Irish surname "Séathán." The name Séathán is thought to have originated from an ancient Irish personal name meaning "little old man" or "wise little old man." However, when used as a given name rather than a surname, Shawn often takes on a different meaning and is associated with the English word "shaun," which means "to rise bright and early."
The name Shawn gained significant popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century. It first entered the top 1000 names list for boys in the U.S. in the year 1945, and by the late 1960s, it had become a popular choice among parents, peaking at its highest rank of number 78 in 1972.
Over time, Shawn has also been used as a unisex name, with some people choosing to use it for girls rather than boys. However, despite this variance in usage, the name remains strongly associated with males and is often considered primarily masculine.
Shawn has no specific patron saint or day of celebration associated with it. As such, there are no traditional feast days or celebrations tied to the name itself. Instead, those named Shawn typically celebrate their birthdays on whatever date they were born, although some may choose to honor Saint Seathan, a lesser-known Irish saint whose name is similar to Shawn's origins.
In terms of history and notable individuals, several famous people share the name Shawn. Some well-known examples include American actor and musician Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter; Canadian professional wrestler Shawn Michaels; and American basketball player Shawn Bradley. However, these individuals are not directly connected to the origin or meaning of the name itself but rather have contributed to its contemporary popularity and recognition.
Overall, Shawn is a unique Irish-derived name with an interesting etymology that has gained significant popularity in recent decades, particularly in the United States. Although it has no specific feast day or patron saint associated with it, the name carries historical significance through its connection to ancient Irish personal names and has been embraced by notable individuals across various fields of endeavor.
The name Shawn has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the years in the United States. The data shows that it was relatively uncommon from 1932 to 1946, with only a few births each year ranging from 5 to 21.
However, starting from 1947, the number of births with the name Shawn began to increase rapidly. It reached triple digits in 1950 and continued to grow, peaking at 1723 births in 1968. This marked a significant period where the name Shawn was quite popular.
Interestingly, from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, there was another spike in popularity for the name Shawn, with over 1400 births each year between 1964 and 1972. This period of high popularity lasted for several years before declining again.
After a brief rise in the late 1980s to early 1990s, the popularity of the name Shawn has steadily decreased over time. From around 1995 onwards, the number of births with this name has been consistently low, with fewer than 100 births per year from 2006 onward.
The most recent data shows that in 2023, there were only 8 births with the name Shawn in the United States. This indicates that while Shawn was once a popular name, it is now quite rare and may be considered unique for children born today.
In conclusion, the popularity of the name Shawn has fluctuated significantly over time in the United States. Although it experienced periods of high popularity in the mid-20th century and again in the late 1960s to early 1970s, its usage has declined steadily since then. Currently, it is not a commonly chosen name for newborns in the U.S., making it an uncommon but historically notable choice.