Baby Names US
Unisex name ★ peaked 1975

Shenandoah

Gender Unisex · 76% girls Rank 2025 Below top lists
Rank 2025
–
among girls
Babies in 2025
<5
named Shenandoah
How common
–
girls born in 2025
Peak year
1975
23 babies
All-time total
459
#14,702 all-time among girls
First recorded
1965
in Social Security records

Shenandoah popularity over time

459 babies have been named Shenandoah since 1965, 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
00.010.010.0218801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
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 11 33 44 4 – #7,320
1970s 87 74 161 16 +266% #4,324
1980s 75 – 75 8 -53% #5,493
1990s 95 5 100 10 +33% #5,408
2000s 52 – 52 5 -48% #9,776
2010s 14 – 14 1 -73% #12,326
2020s (to 2025) 13 – 13 2 +55% #11,988

The story of Shenandoah

Shenandoah 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 1965, 459 American babies have been named Shenandoah, about 76% girls and 24% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1975, when 23 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 Shenandoah stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Shenandoah?

The median living Shenandoah is about 42 years old; half are between 30 and 50. An estimated 400 people named Shenandoah are alive in the United States today.

median 42 020406080100

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

Shenandoah 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 5 #17,326 – –
2023 – – – –
2022 – – – –
2021 – – – –
2020 8 #11,988 – –
2019 6 #15,296 – –
2018 8 #12,326 – –
2017 – – – –
2016 – – – –
2015 – – – –
2014 – – – –
2013 – – – –
2012 – – – –
2011 – – – –
2010 – – – –
2009 – – – –
2008 – – – –
2007 7 #15,244 – –
2006 7 #14,916 – –
2005 – – – –
2004 8 #12,578 – –
2003 6 #15,476 – –
2002 7 #13,405 – –
2001 7 #13,268 – –
2000 10 #9,776 – –
1995 18 #5,408 – –
1990 7 #11,214 – –
1985 5 #12,203 – –
1980 13 #5,493 – –
1975 15 #4,324 8 #4,254
1970 7 #6,939 7 #4,173
1965 – – 15 #2,160
1960 – – – –
1955 – – – –
1950 – – – –
1945 – – – –
1940 – – – –
1935 – – – –
1930 – – – –
1925 – – – –
1920 – – – –
1915 – – – –
1910 – – – –
1905 – – – –
1900 – – – –
1895 – – – –
1890 – – – –
1885 – – – –
1880 – – – –

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Shenandoah?

The median living Shenandoah is about 42 years old. Half of all living Shenandoahs are between 30 and 50 years old.

How many people named Shenandoah are alive today?

An estimated 400 people named Shenandoah are alive in the United States, based on 459 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Shenandoah in 2025?

Shenandoah 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 Shenandoah?

459 babies have been named Shenandoah in the United States since 1965, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Shenandoah most popular?

Shenandoah peaked in 1975, when 23 newborns received the name.

Is Shenandoah a boy or girl name?

Shenandoah is used for both: about 76% of babies named Shenandoah have been girls and 24% boys.

Is the name Shenandoah rising or falling?

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

Names like Shenandoah

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

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