Shad
Every Shad since 1940 — 4,831 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Shad
Shad is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,799 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1940, 4,831 American babies have been named Shad. Its peak came in 1971, when 406 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Shad stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Shad year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | #8,799 |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | 15 | #6,170 |
| 2022 | 8 | #9,695 |
| 2021 | 8 | #9,552 |
| 2020 | 11 | #7,417 |
| 2019 | 11 | #7,556 |
| 2018 | 16 | #5,737 |
| 2017 | 14 | #6,282 |
| 2016 | 15 | #6,010 |
| 2015 | 26 | #4,059 |
| 2014 | 20 | #4,838 |
| 2013 | 17 | #5,355 |
| 2012 | 18 | #5,209 |
| 2011 | 31 | #3,499 |
| 2010 | 14 | #6,311 |
| 2009 | 19 | #5,071 |
| 2008 | 37 | #3,155 |
| 2007 | 21 | #4,616 |
| 2006 | 30 | #3,513 |
| 2005 | 39 | #2,796 |
| 2004 | 32 | #3,144 |
| 2003 | 32 | #3,034 |
| 2002 | 38 | #2,594 |
| 2001 | 37 | #2,609 |
| 2000 | 53 | #1,962 |
| 1995 | 56 | #1,644 |
| 1990 | 54 | #1,558 |
| 1985 | 65 | #1,166 |
| 1980 | 118 | #812 |
| 1975 | 261 | #496 |
| 1970 | 175 | #615 |
| 1965 | 41 | #1,203 |
| 1960 | 7 | #3,612 |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | 5 | #3,868 |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Shad
- Shad Gaspard Wrestler · 1981–2020
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Shad in 2025?
Shad ranked #8,799 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Shad?
4,831 babies have been named Shad in the United States since 1940, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Shad most popular?
Shad peaked in 1971, when 406 newborns received the name.
Is Shad a boy or girl name?
Shad is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Shad rising or falling?
Shad is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Shad?
Well-known people named Shad include Shad Gaspard (wrestler).