How Many People Are Named Shawn?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Shawn

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 2,352 living people in the United States currently have the first name Shawn. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 5,156 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #549 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~2,352CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)5,156Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#549U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year1943 (98 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~2,352
Historical Births (SSA)
5,156
All-Time Rank
#549
Historical Peak
1943

Key Insights for Shawn

Estimated Living Bearers
~2,352 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#549
Distinctive First Name
Historical Peak Year
1943
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Female
4.7% Male · 95.3% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~294 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Shawn

Living Population Model
~2,352

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
5,156

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
3,704

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
53.8 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
1943

Highest annual total: 98 registrations in 1943.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (+0%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Shawn has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Shawn (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 1943 (~98 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201021021
201121021
201221021
201321021
201421021
201521021
201621021
201721021
201821021
201921021
202021021
202121021
202221021
202321021
202421021

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
98/100
1950s
81/100
1960s
48/100
1970s
24/100
1980s
11/100
1990s
6/100
2000s
22/100
2010s
21/100
2020s
11/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historical U.S. registration data shows Shawn is overwhelmingly recorded as a feminine first name (95.3% female births).

Male: 4.7% (~240 births)Female: 95.3% (~4,916 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Shawn

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Shawn in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Shawn appeared 3,704 times, ranking #494 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
3,704 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#494
Census Sex Breakdown
8% M · 92% F

Where Is the Name Shawn Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~294 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~29412.5%
Texas (TX)~2169.2%
Florida (FL)~1606.8%
New York (NY)~1436.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~944%
Illinois (IL)~923.9%
Ohio (OH)~853.6%
Georgia (GA)~783.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 2,352 people named Shawn are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 53.8 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Shawn: 53.8 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Shawn

How many people in the U.S. are named Shawn?

Approximately 2,352 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Shawn. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 5,156 birth applications for Shawn between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Shawn?

Shawn ranks #549 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This positions Shawn as a distinctive name with established historical recognition.

When was the name Shawn most popular in America?

The name Shawn reached its peak historical popularity in 1943, when 98 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Shawn?

Shawn has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Shawn?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historical U.S. registration data shows Shawn is overwhelmingly recorded as a feminine first name (95.3% female births).

Where is the name Shawn most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Shawn resides in California, with approximately 294 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Shawn in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Shawn appeared 3,704 times in census returns, ranking #494 in official 2020 returns.

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