Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Shaun
BoyIrish, Hebrew· “God is gracious (form of Seán)”
- Meaning
- God is gracious (form of Seán)
- Origin
- Irish, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- SHAWN
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,956
- US babies 2025
- 79
- Best rank
- #52 (1978)
- Peak year
- 1978
Meaning and origin of Shaun
Shaun is an Irish and Hebrew name that means “God is gracious (form of Seán)”.
Shaun is an anglicized spelling of the Irish Seán, which comes from the Norman French Jehan, a form of John. John goes back to the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning Yahweh is gracious. Shaun became especially popular in the mid- to late twentieth century in Britain, Ireland and North America, alongside the spellings Shawn and Sean. It feels friendly and approachable, with an Irish heritage. The name is easy to pair with both classic and modern middle names.
Popularity over time
Shaun first appears in US Social Security records in 1935. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 66 different years, starting in 1950. Its best national rank was #52 in 1978, the same year it reached its highest count of 6,105 babies. In 2025, 79 babies were named Shaun, and it ranked #1,956 nationally. That is 75% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #903 in 1950, #79 in 1980, #355 in 2000, #483 in 2010, and #1,956 in 2025. Of the 70,481 US boys named Shaun since records began, 35% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 19,317 babies. Since 2010, 3,972 more have been named Shaun.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Kristopher.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Shaun ranked highest in Missouri, Virginia, and Washington.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | #977 | 5 |
| Virginia | #1071 | 6 |
| Washington | #1134 | 5 |
| North Carolina | #1437 | 5 |
| Illinois | #1453 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Shaun over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Shaun is usually pronounced SHAWN, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with S and ends in “-un”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Sean and Shawn.
Middle names for Shaun
A few middle names that flow with Shaun: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Shaun
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Lists that include Shaun
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Shaun mean?
Shaun is an Irish and Hebrew name that means “God is gracious (form of Seán)”.
What is the origin of the name Shaun?
Shaun has Irish and Hebrew roots. Shaun is an anglicized spelling of the Irish Seán, which comes from the Norman French Jehan, a form of John.
Is Shaun a popular name?
Not especially. Shaun ranked #1,956 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Shaun a boy or girl name?
Shaun is mainly a boy's name. About 98% of US babies named Shaun over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Shaun?
Shaun is usually pronounced SHAWN. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings