Shawni
A feminine form of the name John, of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious."
Name Census estimates that about 211 living Americans carry the first name Shawni. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Shawni today is around 43 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Shawni births was 1992 (35 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Shawni. 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
211
~ 1 in 1,624,428 Americans
Peak year
1992
35 babies that year
Average age
43
years old
1997 SSA rank
#11,895
Tracked since 1962
Popularity
Shawni: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Shawni from the 1960s through to the 1990s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 118 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shawni 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 Shawni during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Shawni
The name Shawni has its roots in the Gaelic language, originating from the Scottish Highlands and parts of Ireland. It is believed to have derived from the Old Irish name Seán or Sìne, meaning "God is gracious" or "God's gift." This name gained popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly in the 10th and 11th centuries.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shawni can be traced back to a historic figure named Shawni of Argyll, who lived in the late 12th century. He was a renowned Scottish warrior and chieftain known for his bravery and leadership during the Scottish Wars of Independence against England.
In the 14th century, a notable individual named Shawni MacLeod was a prominent member of the Clan MacLeod on the Isle of Skye. She was renowned for her skills in traditional Gaelic poetry and storytelling, and her works were widely celebrated throughout the Scottish Highlands.
During the 16th century, a historic figure named Shawni MacDonald played a pivotal role in the Jacobite Risings, supporting the claims of the Stuart kings to the British throne. Her unwavering loyalty and courage during these turbulent times earned her a place in Scottish history.
Another famous bearer of the name Shawni was an Irish writer and poet from the 18th century, Shawni O'Sullivan. Born in County Cork, her works celebrated the rich cultural heritage of Ireland and played a significant role in preserving Irish literature and traditions.
In the 19th century, Shawni Mackenzie was a Scottish explorer and adventurer who gained recognition for her daring expeditions across the Canadian wilderness. Her remarkable journey and contributions to the field of exploration were documented in her widely-read memoir, "Tales from the Great Northwest."
While the name Shawni has its roots in Scottish and Irish cultures, it has since gained popularity worldwide, with variations in spelling and pronunciation across different regions. However, its historical significance and connection to the Gaelic heritage remain a testament to the enduring legacy of this name.
People
Shawni + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Shawni as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with S
Other first names starting with S with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Shawni: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Shawni?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 211 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Shawni 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 1,624,428 US residents.
Is Shawni a common name?
We classify Shawni as "Very Rare". It ranks above 74.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 230 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Shawni most popular?
The single biggest year for Shawni was 1992, when 35 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Shawni is about 43 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Shawni a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Shawni in the SSA data are female. 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.