Shahab
A boy's name of Persian origin with 182 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A transliteration of the Persian male given name شهاب (šahâb).
Shahab is a boy's baby name of Arabic origin meaning 'shooting star' or 'meteor.' The word shahab in Arabic describes the streak of light left by a falling star — a name evoking brilliance and fleeting beauty.
Used across Iran, Afghanistan, and the Arab world, Shahab has a poetic, celestial quality. Iranian actor Shahab Hosseini, who won the Cannes Best Actor award in 2016 for The Salesman, is among its most recognized modern bearers.
EtymologyShow more
Shahab is cataloged under the Persian naming tradition. Names from the Persian tradition carry linguistic and cultural patterns that shape their sound, structure, and associations.
In the U.S., Shahab has been recorded as a boy's name since 1977, with 182 total births. Browse the Persian names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Shahab has 27+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1977.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 24 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 33 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 30 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 46 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 33 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 16 | — |
The Story of Shahab
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2012, Shahab is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Shahab are most likely born between 2002 and 2022.
How rare is Shahab?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Shahab is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1977, peaked in the 1990s with 46 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Shahab by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(27 years, 1977–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 | #10626 |
| 2022 | 6 | #12079 |
| 2021 | 6 | #11905 |
| 2020 | 5 | #13717 |
| 2019 | 5 | #13807 |
| 2018 | 8 | #9525 |
| 2017 | 10 | #8044 |
| 2012 | 10 | #8044 |
| 2008 | 6 | #12309 |
| 2006 | 6 | #11822 |
| 2004 | 5 | #12924 |
| 2002 | 5 | #12196 |
| 2000 | 8 | #8088 |
| 1998 | 5 | #11031 |
| 1997 | 8 | #7169 |
| 1996 | 9 | #6401 |
| 1995 | 8 | #6873 |
| 1991 | 7 | #7151 |
| 1990 | 9 | #5736 |
| 1989 | 8 | #6122 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shahab a boy's or girl's name?
When was Shahab most popular?
How popular is the name Shahab?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1977–2023