Shun Boy

Popularity: · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: shoon /ʃuːn/

Origin: Japanese; Chinese

Meaning: Japanese: 'to spring forth'; Chinese: 'to obey'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Shun has its roots in Chinese, where it is represented by the characters "舜". The character itself is associated with the meaning of "to obey" or "to follow," and it is historically linked to one of the legendary emperors of ancient China, Emperor Shun, who is often celebrated for his virtuous rule and contributions to agriculture and governance.

The etymology of Shun can be traced back to ancient Chinese texts, where it appears in various forms, emphasizing the character's significance in Chinese culture and history. Emperor Shun, who is believed to have lived around the 23rd century BCE, is one of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, a group of mythological rulers in Chinese history.

His reign is noted for its emphasis on moral governance and the promotion of benevolence, which has led to his veneration in Confucianism. The historical accounts of Shun are primarily found in texts such as the "Records of the Grand Historian" (Shiji) and the "Book of Documents" (Shujing), which were compiled during the Han Dynasty, thus solidifying his legacy in Chinese literature and culture.

Culturally, the name Shun carries connotations of obedience and harmony, reflecting the values of respect and order that are central to traditional Chinese society. It is often associated with wisdom and leadership, qualities that are revered in various philosophical teachings, including Confucianism.

The name has also been used in various literary and artistic works throughout Chinese history, symbolizing ideal governance and moral integrity. In addition, diminutive forms or variations of the name may exist in different dialects or regions, but the core significance remains tied to the historical figure of Emperor Shun and the virtues he embodies.

Famous people named Shun

In this section, you will find notable people named Shun. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Shun who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Shun who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Shun Oguri is an actor best known for Hana Yori Dango, Crows Zero, and Gokusen.

Shun Li is a writer best known for The Last Train to Istanbul, The Book of the Sea, and The Last Train to Istanbul.

Fictional characters named Shun

The following list of fictional characters named Shun is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Shun is a fictional character from the anime and manga series Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal. He is a skilled duelist and one of the main protagonists who seeks to protect his friends and the world from various threats.

Shun is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Air Gear. He is a member of the team Kogarasumaru and plays a significant role in the story's exploration of extreme sports and personal growth.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Shun, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Shun. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Shun was first seen in the United States in 1925.

Shun has ranked as high as #3686 nationally, which occurred in 1980, and has been most popular in Illinois, Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, and Mississippi.

In the past 5 years the name Shun has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Shun is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Shun was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Shun.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2023 5 5 0
2022 5 5 0
2021 5 5 0
2020 5 5 0
2019 9 9 0
2018 14 14 0
2017 11 11 0
2015 7 7 0
2014 10 10 0
2013 10 10 0
2012 8 8 0
2011 6 6 0
2010 17 17 0
2009 10 10 0
2008 14 14 0
2007 15 15 0
2006 16 16 0
2005 10 10 0
2004 15 15 0
2003 14 14 0
2002 13 13 0
2001 15 15 0
2000 10 10 0
1999 14 14 0
1998 12 12 0
1997 13 13 0
1996 17 17 0
1995 19 19 0
1994 11 11 0
1993 17 17 0
1992 9 9 0
1991 8 8 0
1990 17 17 0
1989 8 8 0
1988 14 14 0
1987 12 12 0
1986 17 17 0
1985 13 13 0
1984 12 12 0
1983 19 19 0
1982 21 21 0
1981 27 27 0
1980 41 41 0
1979 19 19 0
1978 30 30 0
1977 19 19 0
1976 26 21 5
1975 30 24 6
1974 30 25 5
1973 40 40 0
1972 38 38 0
1971 40 40 0
1970 29 24 5
1969 26 17 9
1968 15 15 0
1967 8 8 0
1966 11 11 0
1965 8 8 0
1925 5 5 0

Top States for Shun (1988)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 6
100%