Shyam
Borrowed from Sanskrit श्याम (śyāma).
Every Shyam since 1971 — 754 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Shyam
Shyam is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #10,520 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1971, 754 American babies have been named Shyam. Its peak came in 2005, when 34 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
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 Shyam stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Shyam year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | #10,520 |
| 2024 | 7 | #10,767 |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | 9 | #8,879 |
| 2021 | 10 | #8,075 |
| 2020 | 10 | #7,964 |
| 2019 | 7 | #10,636 |
| 2018 | 14 | #6,290 |
| 2017 | 11 | #7,470 |
| 2016 | 10 | #8,073 |
| 2015 | 8 | #9,439 |
| 2014 | 17 | #5,451 |
| 2013 | 16 | #5,617 |
| 2012 | 6 | #12,057 |
| 2011 | 17 | #5,398 |
| 2010 | 19 | #5,009 |
| 2009 | 18 | #5,279 |
| 2008 | 21 | #4,682 |
| 2007 | 19 | #4,956 |
| 2006 | 22 | #4,347 |
| 2005 | 34 | #3,079 |
| 2004 | 24 | #3,839 |
| 2003 | 29 | #3,262 |
| 2002 | 21 | #4,021 |
| 2001 | 26 | #3,394 |
| 2000 | 27 | #3,213 |
| 1995 | 24 | #3,008 |
| 1990 | 12 | #4,636 |
| 1985 | 18 | #2,808 |
| 1980 | 7 | #5,435 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Shyam
- Shyam Benegal Film director · b. 1934
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Shyam mean?
Borrowed from Sanskrit श्याम (śyāma).
How popular is the name Shyam in 2025?
Shyam ranked #10,520 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Shyam?
754 babies have been named Shyam in the United States since 1971, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Shyam most popular?
Shyam peaked in 2005, when 34 newborns received the name.
Is Shyam a boy or girl name?
Shyam is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Shyam rising or falling?
Shyam is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Shyam?
Well-known people named Shyam include Shyam Benegal (film director).