Shannen: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among girls

Babies in 2025

named Shannen

How common

–

girls born in 2025

Peak year

1993

225 babies

All-time total

2,071

#4,821 all-time among girls

First recorded

1961

in Social Security records

Shannen popularity over time

2,071 babies have been named Shannen since 1961, 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

GirlsBoys

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	–	–	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1960s	77	21	98	10	–	#2,758
1970s	251	41	292	29	+198%	#2,004
1980s	269	15	284	28	-3%	#2,089
1990s	979	39	1,018	102	+258%	#894
2000s	311	29	340	34	-67%	#2,772
2010s	29	5	34	3	-90%	#10,330
2020s (to 2025)	5	–	5	1	-75%	#17,255

The story of Shannen

Shannen 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 1961, 2,071 American babies have been named Shannen, about 93% girls and 7% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1993, when 225 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1990s.

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

How old are people named Shannen?

The median living Shannen is about 32 years old; half are between 29 and 39. An estimated 2,000 people named Shannen 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.

Shannen 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	5	#17,255	–	–
2022	–	–	–	–
2021	–	–	–	–
2020	–	–	–	–
2019	–	–	–	–
2018	–	–	–	–
2017	–	–	–	–
2016	6	#15,951	–	–
2015	–	–	–	–
2014	–	–	–	–
2013	–	–	–	–
2012	11	#10,330	5	#13,892
2011	6	#16,475	–	–
2010	6	#16,660	–	–
2009	13	#9,314	–	–
2008	13	#9,407	5	#14,282
2007	16	#8,034	–	–
2006	35	#4,251	7	#10,487
2005	34	#4,187	5	#13,046
2004	47	#3,258	7	#9,776
2003	46	#3,225	–	–
2002	25	#4,881	–	–
2001	29	#4,303	–	–
2000	53	#2,772	5	#11,846
1995	100	#1,539	–	–
1990	20	#4,839	–	–
1985	29	#3,152	–	–
1980	20	#3,975	–	–
1975	21	#3,381	5	#6,198
1970	42	#2,004	–	–
1965	–	–	–	–
1960	–	–	–	–
1955	–	–	–	–
1950	–	–	–	–
1945	–	–	–	–
1940	–	–	–	–
1935	–	–	–	–
1930	–	–	–	–
1925	–	–	–	–
1920	–	–	–	–
1915	–	–	–	–
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Famous people named Shannen

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

1 Shannen Doherty American actress (1971–2024) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Shannen?

The median living Shannen is about 32 years old. Half of all living Shannens are between 29 and 39 years old.

How many people named Shannen are alive today?

An estimated 2,000 people named Shannen are alive in the United States, based on 2,071 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Shannen in 2025?

Shannen 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 Shannen?

2,071 babies have been named Shannen in the United States since 1961, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Shannen most popular?

Shannen peaked in 1993, when 225 newborns received the name.

Is Shannen a boy or girl name?

Shannen is used for both: about 93% of babies named Shannen have been girls and 7% boys.

Is the name Shannen rising or falling?

Shannen is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Shannen?

Well-known people named Shannen include Shannen Doherty (actor).

Names like Shannen

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

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