Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Sheldon
BoyEnglish, Old English· “from an English place name”
- Meaning
- from an English place name
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- SHEHL-duhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,788
- US babies 2025
- 46
- Best rank
- #247 (1936)
- Peak year
- 1992
Meaning and origin of Sheldon
Sheldon is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “from an English place name”.
Sheldon is an English surname taken from several place names formed from Old English words, often explained as a valley with a shelf or ledge. It became a given name in the twentieth century. In recent decades, the television character Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory made it widely recognized. Sheldon sounds friendly and a little bookish. Shel and Don are possible nicknames. The name pairs well with both classic and modern middle names.
Popularity over time
Sheldon first appears in US Social Security records in 1881. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 117 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #247 in 1936, and the most babies received it in 1992, when 608 were named Sheldon. In 2025, 46 babies were named Sheldon, and it ranked #2,788 nationally. That is 67% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #424 in 1920, #335 in 1950, #469 in 1980, #623 in 2000, #987 in 2010, and #2,788 in 2025. Of the 36,676 US boys named Sheldon since records began, 13% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 4,296 babies. Since 2010, 1,985 more have been named Sheldon.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Tre, Alfonso, Gilberto, Coty, and Raheem.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Sheldon ranked highest in Florida and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | #1803 | 6 |
| California | #2758 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Sheldon is usually pronounced SHEHL-duhn, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with S and ends in “-on”.
Middle names for Sheldon
A few middle names that flow with Sheldon: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Sheldon
Similar names
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Lists that include Sheldon
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sheldon mean?
Sheldon is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “from an English place name”.
What is the origin of the name Sheldon?
Sheldon has English and Old English roots. Sheldon is an English surname taken from several place names formed from Old English words, often explained as a valley with a shelf or ledge.
Is Sheldon a popular name?
Not especially. Sheldon ranked #2,788 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Sheldon a boy or girl name?
Sheldon is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Sheldon?
Sheldon is usually pronounced SHEHL-duhn. 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