Shy
Every Shy since 1973 — 478 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Shy
Shy is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #12,988 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1973, 478 American babies have been named Shy — about 89% girls and 11% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1997, when 37 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 Shy stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Shy 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 | 7 | #12,988 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | 9 | #11,053 | 6 | #12,040 |
| 2022 | 6 | #15,061 | 9 | #8,878 |
| 2021 | 6 | #15,011 | — | — |
| 2020 | 5 | #17,172 | 5 | #13,745 |
| 2019 | — | — | 5 | #13,838 |
| 2018 | 5 | #17,782 | — | — |
| 2017 | 8 | #12,581 | — | — |
| 2016 | 7 | #14,145 | — | — |
| 2015 | 8 | #12,850 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | 5 | #18,890 | — | — |
| 2012 | 14 | #8,565 | — | — |
| 2011 | 7 | #14,634 | — | — |
| 2010 | 11 | #10,373 | — | — |
| 2009 | 12 | #9,900 | — | — |
| 2008 | 13 | #9,418 | 5 | #14,301 |
| 2007 | 15 | #8,461 | — | — |
| 2006 | 12 | #9,827 | — | — |
| 2005 | 14 | #8,268 | — | — |
| 2004 | 7 | #13,986 | — | — |
| 2003 | 16 | #7,163 | — | — |
| 2002 | 16 | #7,003 | 5 | #12,227 |
| 2001 | 18 | #6,276 | 5 | #12,049 |
| 2000 | 21 | #5,468 | — | — |
| 1995 | 17 | #5,652 | — | — |
| 1990 | 7 | #11,233 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | 9 | #6,388 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Shy
- Shy Love Pornographic actor · b. 1978
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Shy in 2025?
Shy ranked #12,988 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Shy?
478 babies have been named Shy in the United States since 1973, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Shy most popular?
Shy peaked in 1997, when 37 newborns received the name.
Is Shy a boy or girl name?
Shy is used for both: about 89% of babies named Shy have been girls and 11% boys.
Is the name Shy rising or falling?
Shy is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Shy?
Well-known people named Shy include Shy Love (pornographic actor).