Sheldon
Boy name · #2767 in 2025 · Very rare
How old is the name Sheldon? In official American birth records, Sheldon has been tracked continuously since 1881, giving it 144 years of documented American history.
Sheldon is currently the #2767 boy name in the United States — 46 babies received it in 2025. A decade ago it stood at #1279, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 39,130 boys born in 2025 was named Sheldon.
The 144-year story
Sheldon first appears in the Social Security records in 1881, when 7 boys received the name. Its peak came in 1992, when 608 boys were named Sheldon — good for #380 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. 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 Sheldon per year. Source: Official national birth records.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Sheldon against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Sheldon in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Sheldon is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "very rare". A high score means genuine rarity — your Sheldon will likely be the only one in the room, with the occasional spelling-out as the price.
Where Sheldon is most common
State-level data for Sheldon 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 Sheldon
Statistically, parents drawn to Sheldon tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Brendon, Stephon, Jordon, Stephan, and Tyron.
BrendonStephonJordonStephanTyronDentonSerafinShelby
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Sheldon | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 46 | #2765 |
| 2024 | 81 | #1938 |
| 2023 | 60 | #2315 |
| 2022 | 68 | #2150 |
| 2021 | 72 | #2040 |
| 2020 | 79 | #1872 |
| 2019 | 110 | #1534 |
| 2018 | 126 | #1396 |
| 2017 | 134 | #1335 |
| 2016 | 131 | #1356 |
| 2015 | 140 | #1279 |
| 2014 | 166 | #1143 |
| 2013 | 180 | #1054 |
| 2012 | 216 | #942 |
| 2011 | 176 | #1066 |
| 2010 | 200 | #984 |
| 2009 | 189 | #1027 |
| 2008 | 211 | #952 |
| 2007 | 206 | #955 |
| 2006 | 242 | #841 |
| 2005 | 257 | #772 |
| 2004 | 239 | #760 |
| 2003 | 230 | #767 |
| 2002 | 265 | #687 |
| 2001 | 329 | #601 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Sheldon?
In official American birth records, the name Sheldon first appeared in 1881 (over 144 years ago), when 7 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Sheldon a popular boy name?
Sheldon ranked #2767 among boys in 2025 with 46 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #1279.
When was the name Sheldon most popular?
Sheldon peaked in 1992, when 608 American boys received the name (ranked #380 that year). Since 1992 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Sheldon?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 39,130 newborn American boys was named Sheldon. 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.