Shannon Unisex
Origin(s)
PronunciationSHAN-un / /ˈʃæn.ən/Irish; English
Meaning
Irish: 'old; ancient'; English: 'from the river Shannon'
Historical & Cultural Background
Shannon is derived from the River Shannon in Ireland, which is the longest river in the country. The name has been used for both boys and girls, though it is more commonly associated with females in modern times. In Irish mythology, the river is named after a goddess, further embedding it in cultural significance. The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 20th century.
Trend Summary
Shannon has seen a decline in popularity as a boy's name in the United States since the late 20th century.
Similar Names
Variants
- Shanon
- Shan
International Variants
- Shanon (English)
Famous people named Shannon
Shannon Elizabeth is an American actress known for her role in the film 'American Pie'.
Shannon Hoon was an American musician and lead singer of the band Blind Melon.
Shannon Miller is a retired American gymnast and Olympic medalist.
Shannon Leto is an American musician and actor, known as the drummer for the band Thirty Seconds to Mars.
Fictional characters named Shannon
Shannon Rutherford is a character from the television series 'Lost', known for her complex relationships with other characters.
Shannon is a character in the animated series 'The Magic School Bus', where she participates in various educational adventures.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Shannon was first seen in the United States in 1881. Shannon has ranked as high as #199 nationally, which occurred in 1972, and has been most popular in California, Ohio, Georgia, Illinois, and Louisiana. In the past 5 years the name Shannon has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Shannon (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| PA | 6 | |
| TN | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1881 | 5 |
| 1885 | 6 |
| 1890 | 5 |
| 1904 | 7 |
| 1905 | 5 |
| 1906 | 5 |
| 1907 | 6 |
| 1908 | 7 |
| 1912 | 9 |
| 1913 | 16 |
| 1914 | 16 |
| 1915 | 30 |
| 1916 | 31 |
| 1917 | 24 |
| 1918 | 25 |
| 1919 | 34 |
| 1920 | 19 |
| 1921 | 28 |
| 1922 | 29 |
| 1923 | 39 |
| 1924 | 19 |
| 1925 | 25 |
| 1926 | 26 |
| 1927 | 28 |
| 1928 | 26 |
| 1929 | 15 |
| 1930 | 11 |
| 1931 | 24 |
| 1932 | 24 |
| 1933 | 34 |
| 1934 | 32 |
| 1935 | 29 |
| 1936 | 35 |
| 1937 | 31 |
| 1938 | 42 |
| 1939 | 35 |
| 1940 | 35 |
| 1941 | 42 |
| 1942 | 49 |
| 1943 | 50 |
| 1944 | 48 |
| 1945 | 52 |
| 1946 | 85 |
| 1947 | 75 |
| 1948 | 78 |
| 1949 | 82 |
| 1950 | 92 |
| 1951 | 109 |
| 1952 | 106 |
| 1953 | 89 |
| 1954 | 124 |
| 1955 | 157 |
| 1956 | 165 |
| 1957 | 160 |
| 1958 | 142 |
| 1959 | 300 |
| 1960 | 286 |
| 1961 | 335 |
| 1962 | 503 |
| 1963 | 626 |
| 1964 | 758 |
| 1965 | 938 |
| 1966 | 1,157 |
| 1967 | 1,171 |
| 1968 | 1,704 |
| 1969 | 2,373 |
| 1970 | 2,571 |
| 1971 | 3,008 |
| 1972 | 3,013 |
| 1973 | 2,636 |
| 1974 | 2,505 |
| 1975 | 2,530 |
| 1976 | 2,611 |
| 1977 | 2,286 |
| 1978 | 1,849 |
| 1979 | 1,639 |
| 1980 | 1,328 |
| 1981 | 1,205 |
| 1982 | 1,088 |
| 1983 | 882 |
| 1984 | 763 |
| 1985 | 689 |
| 1986 | 571 |
| 1987 | 517 |
| 1988 | 510 |
| 1989 | 566 |
| 1990 | 520 |
| 1991 | 514 |
| 1992 | 466 |
| 1993 | 377 |
| 1994 | 403 |
| 1995 | 375 |
| 1996 | 316 |
| 1997 | 296 |
| 1998 | 271 |
| 1999 | 308 |
| 2000 | 241 |
| 2001 | 210 |
| 2002 | 234 |
| 2003 | 206 |
| 2004 | 201 |
| 2005 | 194 |
| 2006 | 190 |
| 2007 | 162 |
| 2008 | 150 |
| 2009 | 144 |
| 2010 | 95 |
| 2011 | 101 |
| 2012 | 95 |
| 2013 | 97 |
| 2014 | 85 |
| 2015 | 82 |
| 2016 | 78 |
| 2017 | 79 |
| 2018 | 68 |
| 2019 | 69 |
| 2020 | 70 |
| 2021 | 64 |
| 2022 | 42 |
| 2023 | 42 |
| 2024 | 51 |