Shannon
Boy name · #2994 in 2025 · Very rare
How old is the name Shannon? In official American birth records, Shannon has been tracked continuously since 1881, giving it 144 years of documented American history.
In 2025, 41 baby boys were named Shannon, placing it at #2994 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #1815, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 43,902 boys born in 2025 was named Shannon.
The 144-year story
Shannon first appears in the Social Security records in 1881, when 5 boys received the name. Its peak came in 1972, when 3,014 boys were named Shannon — good for #94 that year. Today's parents encounter it as a name from their grandparents’ generation, which is precisely the vintage window from which names get revived. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Babies named Shannon per year. Source: Official national birth records.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Shannon against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Shannon in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Shannon is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "very rare". A high score means genuine rarity — your Shannon will likely be the only one in the room, with the occasional spelling-out as the price.
Where Shannon is most common
State-level data for Shannon is too sparse in 2025 to rank by rate — in most states its count falls below the SSA's per-state reporting threshold (counts under 5 are withheld).
Names like Shannon
Statistically, parents drawn to Shannon tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Clifton, Carlton, Scotty, Lamont, and Clinton.
CliftonCarltonScottyLamontClintonTheronJodyStanton
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Shannon | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 41 | #2991 |
| 2024 | 51 | #2595 |
| 2023 | 43 | #2895 |
| 2022 | 42 | #2962 |
| 2021 | 64 | #2193 |
| 2020 | 70 | #2024 |
| 2019 | 69 | #2081 |
| 2018 | 68 | #2083 |
| 2017 | 79 | #1861 |
| 2016 | 78 | #1890 |
| 2015 | 82 | #1815 |
| 2014 | 85 | #1766 |
| 2013 | 97 | #1588 |
| 2012 | 95 | #1626 |
| 2011 | 101 | #1561 |
| 2010 | 95 | #1639 |
| 2009 | 144 | #1241 |
| 2008 | 150 | #1182 |
| 2007 | 162 | #1118 |
| 2006 | 190 | #976 |
| 2005 | 194 | #911 |
| 2004 | 201 | #871 |
| 2003 | 206 | #843 |
| 2002 | 234 | #742 |
| 2001 | 210 | #799 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Shannon?
In official American birth records, the name Shannon first appeared in 1881 (over 144 years ago), when 5 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Shannon a popular boy name?
Shannon ranked #2994 among boys in 2025 with 41 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #1815.
When was the name Shannon most popular?
Shannon peaked in 1972, when 3,014 American boys received the name (ranked #94 that year). Since 1972 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Shannon?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 43,902 newborn American boys was named Shannon. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "very rare".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.