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Home › Baby Names Directory › Shad

Shad

♂ Boy

Pronounced SHAD /ˈʃæd/Medium

Meaning: A short form of Shadrach, the biblical figure spared in the fiery furnace (a Babylonian name, tradition-linked to Aku); also the English name of a fish. A crisp one-syllable name.Low

In 30 seconds: A crisp short name: Shad shortens Shadrach and is also a fish name (said 'SHAD'). Punchy and rooted.
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Origin LowHebrew, English
MeaningA short form of Shadrach, the biblical figure spared in the fiery furnace (a Babylonian name, tradition-linked to Aku); also the English name of a fish. A crisp one-syllable name.
U.S. rank (2023)#6164 ↗ Rising
2023 U.S. births15 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1971
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,822

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197119402023

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Shad reads as a short form of Shadrach (a biblical name) and as the English fish name. It reads crisp and sturdy — rare in the U.S. (said 'SHAD').

It appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, crisp, and sturdy.

Did you know? Shad is a short form of Shadrach — the biblical figure who walked unharmed from the furnace — and also the English name of a fish; a punchy one-beat name whose route is layered, which we note (said 'SHAD').
Overall data confidence 42%
References — Shad — short for Shadrach; also English fish name

Variations

ShaddShadrachChad

Nicknames

ShaddyShadd

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Shad…

Shadrach— the name it shortens
Chad— a like crisp one-beat name
Thad— a like short biblical-adjacent name
Shane— a like sturdy Sh- name

Explore names like Shad

By themehebrewbiblicalshortword-adjacent

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Shad mean?

Shad is a short form of Shadrach (a biblical figure) and also the English name of a fish.

How do you pronounce Shad?

It's said SHAD /ˈʃæd/ — one syllable.

Is Shad a boy or girl name?

Shad is a boy's name.

How popular is Shad?

Shad is a rare name in the U.S.

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