Shaw
Primarily a boy's name of Old English origin with 1,315 recorded births. Also given to 56 girls.
Meaning & Origin
An English topographic surname for someone who lived by a small wood or copse.
Shaw is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, from a topographic surname meaning 'small wood, thicket' — from the Old English sceaga (copse, grove). It is a name rooted in the English landscape, evoking the quiet edge of a forest where wood meets open field.
Shaw has been gaining ground as a given name alongside other single-syllable surname names like Brooks, Lane, and Heath. It carries a quietly literary quality — George Bernard Shaw remains one of the most celebrated playwrights in the English language — and a clean, spare sound that feels both classic and modern. Nearly 1,315 recorded births show it is a name with real momentum.
EtymologyShow more
Shaw first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1914. Its appearance in the 1910s coincides with waves of immigration, cultural exchange, and the early decades of American popular culture — all of which introduced and popularized new names.
Its Old English classification suggests a path from old english 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
Shaw climbed 1159 spots in the last 20 years — from #5448 to #4289.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 156 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 284 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 205 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 186 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 179 | — |
| 1970s | 195 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 71 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 16 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 12 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 6 | — |
The Story of Shaw
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2020, Shaw is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Shaw are most likely born between 2010 and 2024.
How rare is Shaw?
Only about 1 in every 144,000 babies born in 2024 was named Shaw — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1914, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 284 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Shaw by the numbers
- Would fill 27 school buses
- Meeting one Shaw per day would take 3.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(71 years, 1914–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25 | #4289 |
| 2023 | 26 | #4195 |
| 2022 | 34 | #3452 |
| 2021 | 32 | #3564 |
| 2020 | 39 | #3021 |
| 2019 | 31 | #3622 |
| 2018 | 31 | #3591 |
| 2017 | 28 | #3874 |
| 2016 | 33 | #3425 |
| 2015 | 31 | #3576 |
| 2014 | 25 | #4111 |
| 2013 | 29 | #3647 |
| 2012 | 36 | #3162 |
| 2011 | 25 | #4086 |
| 2010 | 15 | #5991 |
| 2009 | 18 | #5278 |
| 2008 | 19 | #5035 |
| 2007 | 25 | #4101 |
| 2006 | 31 | #3440 |
| 2005 | 14 | #5832 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Shaw as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Shaw has also been given to 56 girls in the U.S. since 1969.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shaw a boy's or girl's name?
When was Shaw most popular?
How popular is the name Shaw?
Can Shaw be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1914–2024