Shamus: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–
1950s	7	1	–	#3,562
1960s	38	4	+443%	#2,662
1970s	339	34	+792%	#1,165
1980s	280	28	-17%	#1,428
1990s	350	35	+25%	#1,998
2000s	502	50	+43%	#1,938
2010s	220	22	-56%	#3,064
2020s (to 2025)	42	7	-68%	#7,499

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

1920s

–

1930s

–

1940s

–

1950s

–

#3,562

1960s

+443%

#2,662

1970s

339

+792%

#1,165

1980s

280

-17%

#1,428

1990s

350

+25%

#1,998

2000s

502

+43%

#1,938

2010s

220

-56%

#3,064

2020s (to 2025)

-68%

#7,499

The story of Shamus

Shamus is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,803 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1959, 1,778 American babies have been named Shamus. Its peak came in 2007, when 72 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2000s.

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 Shamus stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Shamus?

The median living Shamus is about 28 years old; half are between 18 and 44. An estimated 1,700 people named Shamus are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Shamus 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	#8,803
2024	–	–
2023	9	#8,810
2022	7	#10,675
2021	11	#7,499
2020	6	#11,811
2019	9	#8,757
2018	9	#8,707
2017	16	#5,742
2016	24	#4,300
2015	19	#5,030
2014	18	#5,230
2013	26	#3,944
2012	26	#3,989
2011	35	#3,229
2010	38	#3,064
2009	53	#2,442
2008	59	#2,256
2007	72	#1,970
2006	70	#1,938
2005	51	#2,322
2004	43	#2,565
2003	35	#2,837
2002	40	#2,499
2001	35	#2,728
2000	44	#2,248
1995	42	#2,020
1990	20	#3,148
1985	19	#2,695
1980	45	#1,428
1975	53	#1,165
1970	11	#3,040
1965	5	#4,352
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Shamus, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Shamus?

The median living Shamus is about 28 years old. Half of all living Shamuss are between 18 and 44 years old.

How many people named Shamus are alive today?

An estimated 1,700 people named Shamus are alive in the United States, based on 1,778 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Shamus mean?

Séamus is an Irish male given name, of Hebrew origin via Latin.

How popular is the name Shamus in 2025?

Shamus ranked #8,803 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 Shamus?

1,778 babies have been named Shamus in the United States since 1959, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Shamus most popular?

Shamus peaked in 2007, when 72 newborns received the name.

Is Shamus a boy or girl name?

Shamus is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Shamus rising or falling?

Shamus is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Shamus

Shamus popularity over time

The story of Shamus

How old are people named Shamus?

Shamus year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Shamus