Find out how popular the first name Shaw has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Shaw by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Shaw is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 97% of people named Shaw being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 26 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Shaw.

The history of the first name Shaw

The name Shaw has its origins in the Middle English word 'shawe', which means a small woody grove or thicket. This name likely emerged in the 13th or 14th century as a descriptive surname for someone who lived near a small wood or thicket.

In its earliest form, the name was spelled in various ways, such as 'Schawe', 'Shawes', or 'Shawe'. It's believed to be derived from the Old English word 'sceaga', which also means a small wood or grove.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Shaw can be found in the 14th-century Cheshire Pipe Rolls, which mention a person named Richard del Shawe. There are also records of individuals with the name Shaw in Yorkshire and Lancashire around the same time period.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the name Shaw. One of the earliest was George Shaw (1751-1813), an English botanist and zoologist who made significant contributions to the study of natural history.

Another notable Shaw was George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), the renowned Irish playwright, critic, and polemicist, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925 for his work in the field of drama.

In the realm of music, Artie Shaw (1910-2004) was an American clarinetist, composer, and bandleader, known for his innovative swing music and for leading one of the most popular big bands of the late 1930s and early 1940s.

Robert Shaw (1916-1999) was an American conductor and choral director who made significant contributions to the choral music scene in the United States. He founded the Robert Shaw Chorale and was widely regarded as one of the finest choral conductors of his time.

In the world of sports, Walter "Buck" Shaw (1910-1977) was an American football player and coach who served as the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League.

These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals who have borne the name Shaw throughout history, highlighting its enduring presence and significance across various fields and cultures.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Shaw was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Shaw, please contact us.

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