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Home › Baby Names Directory › Shannon

Shannon

♂ Boy

Pronounced SHAN-uhn /ˈʃæn.ən/Medium

Meaning: Old, ancientMedium

In 30 seconds: Shannon, used here as a boy's name, is glossed as 'old' or 'ancient.'
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningOld, ancient
U.S. rank (2024)#2618 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births51 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1972
Total births (all-time)≈ 52,336

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197218812024

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

Shannon is given an English origin with the meaning 'old' or 'ancient.' While it is widely used for girls, it also appears as a boy's name, carried by figures such as Hall of Fame NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe.

It shares a sound-family with names like Shannen and Shanon, and bearers such as Shannon Lee, daughter of Bruce Lee, show its range across people and fields.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Shannon is 'old, ancient', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Shannon — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

ShanaShannaShannenShanonShannah

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Shannon Sharpe (1968–present)
    American Hall of Fame NFL tight end.
  • ★Shannon Lee (1969–present)
    American actress and businesswoman, daughter of Bruce Lee.

If you like Shannon…

Sheldon— another English name
Stratton— a fellow English choice
Cashton— echoes that soft -on sound
Bronson— a fellow English choice
Leighton— shares Shannon's English roots

Explore names like Shannon

By themeenglish

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Shannon mean?

Shannon is usually explained as meaning 'old, ancient' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Shannon?

It's commonly said SHAN-uhn /ˈʃæn.ən/.

Is Shannon a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Shannon is used as a boy name.

How popular is Shannon?

In 2024, Shannon ranked #2618 in the U.S. for boys, with 51 births recorded.

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