Shaw

Q: What is the origin of Shaw?

Shaw is of English origin. The name carries significant cultural meaning and has been used across generations within its origin tradition.

Q: Is Shaw a boy name?

Shaw is traditionally a boy name. Modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal choice and cultural context.

male

Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Dweller By the Wood"

Derived from a surname meaning a small wood or thicket, occasionally adopted as a given name in Anglophone regions.

Themes:surnametoponymicwoodland

Nature Natural Unique Rare

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of Three • Parenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Shaw

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#4289Ranked nationally

SSA did not record this spelling in the national rankings for the available chart years. Names used fewer than 5 times in a year are omitted from the dataset.

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Year

Selected Year Rank

Unranked

Shaw did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year

no national rank in 2024

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Shaw Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Shaw.

8 ideas

shay

Nickname

shaw

Nickname

shie

Nickname

sho

Nickname

shawie

Nickname

shawy

Nickname

Similar Names to Shaw

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Andrew

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al-ig-ZAN-der

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AW-stun

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Arnold

“Eagle Power”

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Allan

“Rock; Handsome”

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Baby Name Lists That Include Shaw

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Shaw, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

19 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Shaw mean?

Shaw means "Dweller By the Wood". Derived from a surname meaning a small wood or thicket, occasionally adopted as a given name in Anglophone regions.

What is the origin of Shaw?

Shaw is of English origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.

How popular is the name Shaw?

According to the latest SSA data, Shaw is currently ranked #4289 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.

Is Shaw a boy name?

Shaw is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.

What are good nicknames for Shaw?

Popular nicknames for Shaw include shay, shaw, shie, sho, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.

What names are similar to Shaw?

There are many names similar to Shaw in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginEnglish, Scottish

Syllables1

Length4 letters

US Rank#4289

Trend↓ Falling

Starts withS

Sibling Ideas

Brothers

Alton Al Ashley Addison Anson

Sisters

Arlene Addie Ashlee Ashleigh Audra

Explore More Boy Names Like Shaw

Shaw has English roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our English baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Shaw appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Earth-Inspired Nature Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Unique Baby Names and Traditional English Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Shaw pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Shaw beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.