"thicket, small wood"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Shaw
Pronunciation: [ sh-AW ]
Does Shaw flow with your last name?
One syllable, infinite presence
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English
American
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Names Like Shaw
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Meaning & Origin
"small forest grove"
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Language: Scottish
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The Story of Shaw
Shaw derives from the Old English 'sceaga' and Scottish Gaelic 'seagha,' both meaning a thicket or small wood. As a surname, it was given to families who lived near a copse or small forest. The Shaw clan is historically associated with Scotland, where the name has been prominent since the Middle Ages. As a given name, Shaw benefits from the trend of distinguished surnames becoming first names.
Shaw has been steadily gaining traction as a first name, fitting neatly into the trend of one-syllable, strong surname-names for boys. Parents are drawn to its clean, confident sound — short enough to be memorable, with enough substance to project authority.
George Bernard Shaw, the Irish playwright and co-founder of the London School of Economics, is the most famous bearer of this name as a surname. The Shaw name in Scotland is associated with clan heritage in Inverness-shire. As a given name, it evokes both natural imagery and intellectual distinction.
Historical Record
Shaw first appeared in US Social Security records in 1954.
Over 1,292 babies have been named Shaw in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Shaw is past its peak , currently ranked #4,307 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- George Bernard Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925
- The Shaw surname ranks among the top 100 most common surnames in Scotland
- Shaw is related to the word 'shawl,' both tracing back to meanings of covering or enclosure
Shaw in Other Languages
Irish
Seagha
French
Shaw
German
Shaw
Scottish Gaelic
Seagha
Popularity Over Time
#4,307
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1974
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Shaw
G
George Bernard Shaw
Writer
1856
Irish playwright, critic, and political activist, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, known for Pygmalion and Man and Sup...
Irish playwright, critic, and political activist, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, known for Pygmalion and Man and Superman
S
Shaw (various athletes)
Athlete
The name is carried by multiple professional athletes across sports, contributing to its modern athletic appeal
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Compare Shaw with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #4,307
- Total SSA Count
- 25
- Cultural Origins
- Scottish English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Shaw
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Shaw is also used as a girl name, ranked #51735.
View Shaw as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Scottish)
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Latin/English origin
"coast, shoreline"
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French origin
"short form of Andre/Andrew"
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Hebrew (Yohanan) origin
"gift of God"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Shaw
What does the name Shaw mean?
"thicket, small wood" (from Old English). "small forest grove" (from Scottish Gaelic). Shaw derives from the Old English 'sceaga' and Scottish Gaelic 'seagha,' both meaning a thicket or small wood. As a surname, it was given to families who lived near a copse or small forest. The Shaw clan is historically associated with Scotland, where the name has been prominent since the Middle Ages. As a given name, Shaw benefits from the trend of distinguished surnames becoming first names.
What is the origin of the name Shaw?
Shaw has Old English, Scottish Gaelic, Scottish, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "thicket, small wood". In Scottish Gaelic, it means "small forest grove".
Is Shaw a boy or girl name?
Shaw is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4307. As a girl name, it is ranked #51735. Shaw is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Shaw?
Shaw is pronounced sh-AW.
How popular is the name Shaw?
Shaw is currently ranked #4307 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Shaw?
Popular middle name pairings include Shaw James, Shaw William, Shaw Alexander, Shaw Reid, Shaw Cole, and Shaw Bennett.
What are good sibling names for Shaw?
Names that pair well with Shaw as siblings include Hayes, Greer, Quinn, Sloane, Reid, and Blythe.
How many syllables does Shaw have?
Shaw has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Shaw a common or rare name?
Shaw is an uncommon name, ranked #4307 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Shaw?
About the Name Shaw
Shaw is a boy name with Scottish, English, and American origins . The name means "thicket, small wood" in Old English .
Is Shaw a boy or girl name? Shaw is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,307 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #51,735. Shaw is more commonly used as a boy name.
Shaw is currently ranked #4,307 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Shaw has 1 syllable and is pronounced sh-AW, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Shaw include Shane, Shawn, Shai, Shaya, Shaun . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis