Find out how popular the first name Shu has been for the last 47 years (from 1978 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Shu by gender

Based on the last 47 years of data, Shu is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 80% of people named Shu being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Shu.

The history of the first name Shu

The name Shu has its origins in ancient Egyptian mythology, dating back to the third millennium BCE. In Egyptian cosmogony, Shu was the god of air and the bearer of the heavens. He was one of the nine great gods of the Ennead of Heliopolis, and his name is derived from the ancient Egyptian word "šw," meaning "air" or "emptiness."

The earliest known reference to the name Shu can be found in the Pyramid Texts, a collection of ancient Egyptian funerary inscriptions dating back to the Old Kingdom period (c. 2686–2181 BCE). Shu was often depicted as a man wearing an ostrich feather on his head, representing the air or wind.

In Egyptian mythology, Shu was born from the primordial waters of chaos, along with his twin sister Tefnut, who represented moisture. Together, they were the first two offspring of the creator god Atum or Ra. Shu and Tefnut were responsible for separating the sky (Nut) from the earth (Geb), allowing for the creation of the world as we know it.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Shu was a high priest of Ptah, the god of craftsmen and builders, during the reign of Ramesses II (c. 1279–1213 BCE). This Shu served as the chief architect and was responsible for overseeing the construction of several monumental buildings and temples.

Another notable figure with the name Shu was a scribe and astronomer who lived during the 26th Dynasty (c. 664–525 BCE). He is credited with compiling astronomical observations and contributing to the development of ancient Egyptian calendars.

In Chinese culture, the name Shu (written as 書) is also found, meaning "book" or "writing." One of the most famous individuals with this name was Shu Qing (1892–1985), a renowned Chinese calligrapher and painter who played a significant role in preserving traditional Chinese art forms.

The name Shu has also been used in Japanese culture, where it is written as 守 and can mean "protect" or "guard." One notable figure with this name was Shu Kasado (1827–1892), a Samurai warrior and teacher of traditional Japanese martial arts.

Finally, in the modern era, Shu Qi (born 1976) is a Taiwanese actress and model who has appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout Asia. She is considered one of the most popular and influential actresses in the region.

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

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

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