Gurshaan
A masculine name of Punjabi origin meaning "the courageous lion".
Name Census estimates that about 205 living Americans carry the first name Gurshaan. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Gurshaan today is around 13 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Gurshaan births was 2010 (20 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Gurshaan. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
205
~ 1 in 1,671,972 Americans
Peak year
2010
20 babies that year
Average age
13
years old
2023 SSA rank
#12,868
Tracked since 2005
Popularity
Gurshaan: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Gurshaan from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 115 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2010s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Gurshaan by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Gurshaan during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Gurshaans live
Origin
Meaning and history of Gurshaan
The name Gurshaan is believed to have originated from the Indian subcontinent, where it has been commonly used for centuries. Its roots can be traced back to the Sanskrit language, with the prefix "Gur" meaning "teacher" or "master," and the suffix "shaan" denoting "glory" or "radiance." Thus, the name Gurshaan can be interpreted as "glorious teacher" or "radiant master."
This name has been particularly prominent in Sikh and Punjabi communities, where it has been bestowed upon individuals with a deep reverence for spiritual knowledge and wisdom. The name's association with teaching and enlightenment has made it a popular choice among families who value education and the pursuit of knowledge.
In ancient Hindu scriptures, such as the Vedas and Upanishads, there are references to gurus and spiritual masters who were revered for their profound insights and ability to guide others on the path of self-realization. While the name Gurshaan itself may not be explicitly mentioned, its essence aligns with the reverence for teachers and enlightened beings in these sacred texts.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gurshaan can be found in the 16th century, when a renowned Sikh warrior and poet named Gurshaan Singh (1551-1604) rose to prominence. His bravery and literary contributions have been celebrated throughout Sikh history, and his legacy has inspired generations of Sikhs to uphold the values of courage, honor, and devotion.
Another notable figure with the name Gurshaan was Gurshaan Kaur (1725-1802), a Sikh princess and warrior who played a significant role in the defense of the Sikh empire against invading forces. Her unwavering bravery and leadership skills have made her an iconic figure in Sikh history, and her name has become synonymous with strength and resilience.
Gurshaan Sahib (1870-1936) was a revered spiritual leader and scholar who dedicated his life to the preservation and promotion of Sikh teachings. His writings and discourses have left an indelible mark on the Sikh community, and his name is still invoked with great reverence by those seeking spiritual guidance.
In more recent times, Gurshaan Singh (1929-2004) was a prominent Punjabi writer and poet who earned acclaim for his literary works that explored themes of social justice, human rights, and the struggles of the common people. His poetic voice resonated with readers across generations, and his name has become synonymous with literary excellence and social consciousness.
Gurshaan Kaur Sawhney (1938-2012) was an influential Indian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded a successful technology company. Her contributions to the business world and her dedication to promoting education and empowerment initiatives have left a lasting impact, and her name stands as a symbol of achievement and humanitarian efforts.
People
Gurshaan + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Gurshaan as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with G
Other first names starting with G with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Gurshaan: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Gurshaan?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 205 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Gurshaan going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,671,972 US residents.
Is Gurshaan a common name?
We classify Gurshaan as "Very Rare". It ranks above 74.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 207 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Gurshaan most popular?
The single biggest year for Gurshaan was 2010, when 20 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Gurshaan is about 13 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Gurshaan a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Gurshaan in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.