Shannon
Shannon is an Irish name derived from the River Shannon, Ireland's longest river, whose name comes from 'Sionainn' meaning 'old' or 'ancient one' in Gaelic mythology. While more commonly used for girls in recent decades, it has strong masculine roots as an Irish surname and given name.
Current Popularity
#3031 for boys
in the United States (2025)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Often perceived as gender-neutral, though historically masculine in Ireland
- •Easy to spell and pronounce in English-speaking countries
- •Strong connection to Irish heritage and natural imagery
- •Less common for boys in current generation, making it distinctive
Similar Names
Famous People
Shannon Sharpe
NFL Hall of Fame tight end and sports analyst
Shannon Hoon
Lead singer of rock band Blind Melon
Shannon Briggs
Professional heavyweight boxer
Shannon Brown
Professional NBA basketball player
Statistics
52,379
Total births since 1880
1972
Peak year
Discovery
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