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Home › Baby Names Directory › Shadow

Shadow

♂ Boy

Pronounced SHAD-oh /ˈʃæd.oʊ/High

Meaning: From the word shadow — 'a shadow, shade; a dark shape cast by an object blocking light' (from Old English sceadu)Low

In 30 seconds: A shadow; shade: Shadow is a word-name — 'a shadow'. Bold, modern, and striking.
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningFrom the word shadow — 'a shadow, shade; a dark shape cast by an object blocking light' (from Old English sceadu)
U.S. rank (2024)#6393 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births14 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1993
Total births (all-time)≈ 598

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199319872024

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

Shadow comes from the word shadow — 'a shadow, shade; the dark shape cast by an object blocking light' (from Old English sceadu). A bold, striking modern word-name (also the protagonist Shadow Moon in American Gods; nickname Shade).

It registers thinly in records. Rare, a-shadow-and-shade at the root, and striking.

Did you know? Shadow means 'a shadow, shade; a dark shape cast by blocked light' (from Old English sceadu) — a bold, striking modern word-name (said 'SHAD-oh').
Overall data confidence 45%
References — shadow — word origin

Variations

ShadeShadoe

Nicknames

Shade

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Shadow…

Shade— a kin shadow word-name boys' name
Onyx— a fellow dark/striking word-name boys' name
Ash— a sound-neighbor short word-name boys' name
Raven— another dark nature word-name boys' name

Explore names like Shadow

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Shadow mean?

Shadow is a word-name — 'a shadow, shade; a dark shape cast by blocked light'.

How do you pronounce Shadow?

It's said SHAD-oh /ˈʃæd.oʊ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Shadow a boy or girl name?

Shadow is used here as a boy's name (it is given to both sexes).

How popular is Shadow?

Shadow is a very rare name in the U.S.

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