Shan
Every Shan since 1944 — 3,088 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
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.
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
- Shan Sa Writer · b. 1972
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
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).