Sheng
Every Sheng since 1980 — 386 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Sheng
Sheng 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 1980, 386 American babies have been named Sheng. Its peak came in 1985, when 29 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
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 Sheng stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Sheng 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 | — | — | 5 | #13,891 |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | 5 | #19,612 | — | — |
| 2005 | 5 | #18,757 | — | — |
| 2004 | 5 | #18,391 | — | — |
| 2003 | 6 | #15,477 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | 6 | #15,064 | — | — |
| 2000 | 5 | #17,206 | — | — |
| 1995 | 21 | #4,822 | — | — |
| 1990 | 23 | #4,358 | — | — |
| 1985 | 23 | #3,714 | 6 | #6,413 |
| 1980 | 8 | #8,042 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Sheng
- Sheng Shicai Politician · 1895–1970
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Sheng in 2025?
Sheng 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 Sheng?
386 babies have been named Sheng in the United States since 1980, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Sheng most popular?
Sheng peaked in 1985, when 29 newborns received the name.
Is Sheng a boy or girl name?
Sheng is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 96% of babies with the name.
Is the name Sheng rising or falling?
Sheng has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Sheng?
Well-known people named Sheng include Sheng Shicai (politician).