Shavaughn
Primarily a girl's name of Irish origin with 174 recorded births. Also given to 11 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name from Irish.
Shavaughn is a girl's and boy's baby name of Irish origin, a variant of Siobhán — from the Irish form of Joan (ultimately from the Hebrew Yochanan meaning 'God is gracious'). Siobhán is one of Ireland's most beloved names; its many English phonetic spellings (Shevawn, Shavon, Shavaughn) reflect the challenge of rendering Irish Gaelic into English.
Shavaughn carries the grace of the divine name through the distinctly musical phonetics of Irish Gaelic — a name that reminds you, with every pronunciation, that the Irish language has its own beautiful rules.
EtymologyShow more
Shavaughn first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1977. First appearing in the 1970s, Shavaughn emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.
Its Irish classification suggests a path from irish linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Shavaughn has 18+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1977.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 6 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 33 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 108 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 27 | — |
The Story of Shavaughn
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1980, Shavaughn is a Gen X staple. Girls named Shavaughn are most likely born between 1977 and 1990.
How rare is Shavaughn?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Shavaughn 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 1980s with 108 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Shavaughn by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(18 years, 1977–2003)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 6 | #15463 |
| 1993 | 7 | #11595 |
| 1992 | 7 | #11527 |
| 1991 | 9 | #9229 |
| 1990 | 10 | #8404 |
| 1989 | 8 | #9534 |
| 1988 | 13 | #6217 |
| 1987 | 9 | #7893 |
| 1986 | 10 | #7048 |
| 1985 | 9 | #7457 |
| 1984 | 8 | #8022 |
| 1983 | 12 | #5765 |
| 1982 | 13 | #5478 |
| 1981 | 13 | #5526 |
| 1980 | 13 | #5491 |
| 1979 | 10 | #6610 |
| 1978 | 12 | #5500 |
| 1977 | 5 | #10971 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Shavaughn as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Shavaughn has also been given to 11 boys in the U.S. since 1993.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shavaughn a boy's or girl's name?
When was Shavaughn most popular?
How popular is the name Shavaughn?
Can Shavaughn be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1977–2003