Shannah is a unique and intriguing female given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic name Siobhán, which means "God is gracious." This name has been used in Ireland for centuries, with its roots dating back to medieval times.
The name Shannah is often associated with the O'Sullivan clan, one of the most prominent and powerful families in Irish history. The O'Sullivans were known for their fierce independence and their role in resisting English rule during the Elizabethan conquest of Ireland in the late 16th century.
While Shannah is not a particularly common name today, it has been used by several notable individuals throughout history. One famous bearer of this name was Shannah O'Sullivan, an Irish pirate who plied her trade during the Golden Age of Piracy in the early 18th century. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned by many of her male counterparts, O'Sullivan proved herself to be a formidable adversary, earning respect and fear among both her fellow pirates and the authorities who pursued her.
Today, Shannah remains a rare but beloved name among those who appreciate its unique sound and historical significance. It is often chosen by parents who wish to honor their Irish heritage or simply seek a distinctive name for their daughter that will help her stand out from the crowd. Whatever the reason behind its selection, the name Shannah carries with it a rich history and a strong sense of identity that makes it a truly special choice.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe several trends regarding the name Shannah over the years in the United States.
The name Shannah first appeared in the birth records in 1945 with a total of 6 births that year. It then became more popular during the late 1950s to early 1970s, reaching its peak popularity between 1967 and 1972. During this period, the number of births with the name Shannah varied from 14 to a peak of 51 in 1978.
After its peak in popularity during the late 1970s, the usage of the name Shannah began to decline gradually over the years. By the early 1980s, it had fallen below 40 births per year, and this trend continued throughout the decade.
The late 1980s saw a slight increase in popularity for the name Shannah again, with around 36-43 births each year from 1987 to 1990. However, this period of increased usage was short-lived, as the number of births with the name Shannah began to decline once more.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the popularity of the name Shannah continued its downward trend, with fewer than 35 births per year between 1994 and 2005. Between 2006 and 2014, the number of annual births with the name Shannah varied from a low of 5 in 2011 to a high of 16 in 2008.
In total, over the span of these years, there were 1378 births registered with the name Shannah in the United States. Despite fluctuations in popularity over time, it is clear that Shannah has been a distinctive and recognizable name choice for parents in the United States since at least the mid-20th century.