Shannon is a name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "Sionnaigh," which means "wild or undulating." The name is associated with the Shannon River in Ireland, one of the longest rivers in Europe and historically significant for its role in transportation and commerce.
The use of the name Shannon can be traced back to ancient times. In Irish mythology, it was often used as a personal name for women, but it also appears as a surname. One notable example is that of the legendary Queen Shannon, who ruled over the mythical land of Connacht.
Over time, Shannon has become more widely recognized as a female given name, particularly in English-speaking countries like Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It gained popularity during the mid-20th century and remained relatively common throughout the latter half of the century.
Today, Shannon continues to be an appealing choice for parents looking for a unique yet meaningful name for their daughters. Its Irish origins and association with the historic Shannon River add a touch of mystique and elegance to this beautiful name.
The name Shannon has been a popular choice for parents in the United States over the years, with a significant rise in its usage from the mid-1960s onwards. In 1963, there were 60 births with the name Shannon, marking a significant increase from previous years. This number continued to grow steadily until it peaked at 285 births in 1970.
However, like many names, Shannon's popularity began to decline after its peak. By 1980, the number of births with the name Shannon had decreased significantly, with only 178 births recorded that year. This trend continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with the number of births with the name Shannon dropping to as low as 5 in some years.
Despite this decline in popularity, Shannon has remained a consistently chosen name for girls in the United States. Since the turn of the century, there have been between 5 and 20 births with the name Shannon each year, according to available data.
In total, over the span of records from 1944 to 2019, there were 4818 births with the name Shannon in the United States. This illustrates how Shannon has been a widely chosen name for girls across several decades, despite fluctuations in its popularity over time.