Unisex name · peaked 1970

Shanan

Every Shanan since 1955 — 868 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.010.020.030.0418801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
among girls
Babies in 2025
<5
named Shanan
Peak year
1970
58 babies
All-time total
868
since 1955

The story of Shanan

Shanan 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 1955, 868 American babies have been named Shanan — about 86% girls and 14% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1970, when 58 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 Shanan stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Shanan 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
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1995 8 #10,345
1990 9 #9,107
1985 15 #5,040 7 #5,673
1980 24 #3,484 5 #7,128
1975 32 #2,499 14 #2,881
1970 53 #1,734 5 #5,326
1965 9 #4,770
1960 6 #6,271
1955 5 #6,565
1950
1945
1940
1935
1930
1925
1920
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Shanan in 2025?

Shanan 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 Shanan?

868 babies have been named Shanan in the United States since 1955, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Shanan most popular?

Shanan peaked in 1970, when 58 newborns received the name.

Is Shanan a boy or girl name?

Shanan is used for both: about 86% of babies named Shanan have been girls and 14% boys.

Is the name Shanan rising or falling?

Shanan has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Names like Shanan

Compare Shanan with similar names →