Shalyn
A girl's name of Irish origin with 1,992 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Shalyn is a two-syllable girl's name with a smooth, flowing sound — a popular compound ending in American feminine naming. With 1,992 recorded U.S. births since 1966, it sits in a sweet spot: recognizable enough to be a real name, uncommon enough to turn heads.
Shalyn is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Shalyn is a girl's baby name of Irish origin, a blend of Shea (Gaelic for 'majestic' or 'hawk-like') and the popular -lyn suffix. It carries the lyrical, flowing quality of many Irish-influenced names created in the mid-20th century.
EtymologyShow more
Shalyn is cataloged under the Irish naming tradition. Celtic names carry the echoes of ancient insular traditions, often drawing from nature, warfare, and mythology.
In the U.S., Shalyn has been recorded as a girl's name since 1966, with 1,992 total births. Browse the Irish names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Shalyn has 51+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1966.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 133 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 617 | — |
| 1990s | 676 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 402 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 152 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 12 | — |
The Story of Shalyn
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2000, Shalyn is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Shalyn are most likely born between 1990 and 2010.
How rare is Shalyn?
With 1,992 total births on record, Shalyn remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1966, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1990s with 676 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Shalyn by the numbers
- Would fill 42 school buses
- Meeting one Shalyn per day would take 5.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(51 years, 1966–2018)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 6 | #15380 |
| 2017 | 12 | #9262 |
| 2016 | 8 | #12719 |
| 2015 | 12 | #9406 |
| 2014 | 5 | #18813 |
| 2013 | 21 | #6218 |
| 2012 | 18 | #7095 |
| 2011 | 21 | #6305 |
| 2010 | 30 | #4841 |
| 2009 | 25 | #5683 |
| 2008 | 61 | #2920 |
| 2007 | 45 | #3647 |
| 2006 | 50 | #3305 |
| 2005 | 51 | #3117 |
| 2004 | 57 | #2843 |
| 2003 | 71 | #2363 |
| 2002 | 91 | #1952 |
| 2001 | 68 | #2354 |
| 2000 | 98 | #1789 |
| 1999 | 97 | #1705 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1966–2018