Shan: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Shan

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1970

105 babies

All-time total

3,088

#3,081 all-time among boys

First recorded

1944

in Social Security records

Shan popularity over time

3,088 babies have been named Shan since 1944, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

BoysGirls

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	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1940s	51	5	56	6	–	#3,839
1950s	171	95	266	27	+375%	#2,157
1960s	254	346	600	60	+126%	#898
1970s	239	540	779	78	+30%	#1,021
1980s	88	337	425	43	-45%	#1,469
1990s	39	362	401	40	-6%	#1,718
2000s	17	313	330	33	-18%	#2,518
2010s	5	182	187	19	-43%	#3,945
2020s (to 2025)	–	44	44	7	-61%	#6,101

The story of Shan

Shan is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1944, 3,088 American babies have been named Shan, about 72% boys and 28% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1970, when 105 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 Shan stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Shan?

The median living Shan is about 47 years old; half are between 30 and 56. An estimated 2,900 people named Shan 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.

Shan year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–	–	–
2024	–	–	8	#9,731
2023	–	–	8	#9,608
2022	–	–	15	#6,101
2021	–	–	6	#11,915
2020	–	–	7	#10,430
2019	–	–	9	#8,758
2018	–	–	12	#7,057
2017	–	–	15	#6,025
2016	5	#18,456	27	#3,971
2015	–	–	9	#8,621
2014	–	–	14	#6,259
2013	–	–	26	#3,945
2012	–	–	24	#4,226
2011	–	–	22	#4,480
2010	–	–	24	#4,215
2009	–	–	27	#3,899
2008	–	–	29	#3,724
2007	–	–	20	#4,771
2006	–	–	35	#3,145
2005	5	#18,708	31	#3,306
2004	–	–	34	#3,003
2003	7	#13,602	40	#2,572
2002	–	–	30	#3,080
2001	5	#17,513	29	#3,132
2000	–	–	38	#2,518
1995	–	–	32	#2,434
1990	5	#14,827	39	#1,963
1985	5	#12,130	30	#1,962
1980	12	#5,842	43	#1,469
1975	24	#3,036	51	#1,190
1970	45	#1,929	60	#1,060
1965	31	#2,147	40	#1,221
1960	16	#3,189	15	#2,193
1955	23	#2,328	14	#2,209
1950	10	#3,633	–	–
1945	–	–	–	–
1940	–	–	–	–
1935	–	–	–	–
1930	–	–	–	–
1925	–	–	–	–
1920	–	–	–	–
1915	–	–	–	–
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Famous people named Shan

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Shan Sa French author and painter b. 1972 · Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Shan?

The median living Shan is about 47 years old. Half of all living Shans are between 30 and 56 years old.

How many people named Shan are alive today?

An estimated 2,900 people named Shan are alive in the United States, based on 3,088 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Shan in 2025?

Shan did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Shan?

3,088 babies have been named Shan in the United States since 1944, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Shan most popular?

Shan peaked in 1970, when 105 newborns received the name.

Is Shan a boy or girl name?

Shan is used for both: about 28% of babies named Shan have been girls and 72% boys.

Is the name Shan rising or falling?

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

Who are famous people named Shan?

Well-known people named Shan include Shan Sa (writer).

Names like Shan

Names that sound and feel close to Shan: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Shan with similar names → More names starting with S →