Find out how popular the first name Shine has been for the last 30 years (from 1994 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Shine by gender

Based on the last 30 years of data, Shine is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 52% of people named Shine being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 46 male babies and 19 female babies born with the name Shine.

It's also interesting to see that despite Shine being historically a mostly female name, the most recent data from 2023 shows a shift in the trend, with more male babies being named Shine.

The history of the first name Shine

The name Shine has its origins in the English language, derived from the word "shine" which means to emit or radiate light. It is believed to have emerged as a given name in the late 17th or early 18th century, during the height of the Enlightenment period in Europe.

One of the earliest recorded uses of Shine as a given name can be found in the writings of the English philosopher and physician Thomas Browne, who mentioned a person named "Shine" in his work "Pseudo-doxia Epidemica" published in 1646. However, it's unclear whether this was a real person or a fictional character.

In the late 18th century, Shine began to gain popularity as a given name, particularly among English Quakers and other Protestant groups who embraced the symbolic meaning of light and radiance. One notable early bearer of the name was Shine Milton (1768-1837), an English Quaker preacher and author.

As the name spread across the English-speaking world, it became associated with various cultural and religious movements that emphasized the metaphorical concepts of light, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening. In the 19th century, Shine was adopted by some members of the Transcendentalist movement in the United States, which was influenced by Eastern philosophies and the idea of seeking inner illumination.

Notable people named Shine throughout history include:

1. Shine Fox (1782-1858), an English Quaker minister and writer.
2. Shine Walker (1834-1901), an American Baptist minister and abolitionist.
3. Shine Moss (1886-1965), an American blues singer and guitarist.
4. Shine Muskett (1891-1965), an Australian rules footballer and coach.
5. Shine Thompson (1923-2012), an American jazz pianist and composer.

While Shine has remained a relatively uncommon given name, it has continued to hold symbolic significance for those drawn to its connotations of radiance, positivity, and spiritual enlightenment.

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 Shine was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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