Cal vs Shawn

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Cal

Boy #671 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"bald (short for Calvin from Latin Calvinus)"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

American English Scottish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#671
Total SSA Count
408
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Cal →

Shawn

Boy #639 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"God is gracious"

Origin: Hebrew (Yochanan) via Irish (Sean)

Cultural Roots

American Irish English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#639
Total SSA Count
438
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Sha, Shy, Shie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Shawn →

Popularity Comparison

Cal Rank #671
Shawn Rank #639

Shawn is more popular, ranked #639 vs #671 for Cal.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Cal ___

  • Cal James
  • Cal Thomas
  • Cal Edward
  • Cal William
  • Cal Henry
  • Cal Owen

Shawn ___

  • Shawn Michael
  • Shawn Patrick
  • Shawn Lee
  • Shawn Allen
  • Shawn James
  • Shawn Thomas

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Cal

Milo Jasper Leo Cora Nora

If you choose Shawn

Ryan Kayla Brandon Ashley Kyle

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cal or Shawn more popular?

Shawn is more popular, ranked #639 compared to Cal at #671 in the United States.

What do Cal and Shawn mean?

Cal means "bald (short for Calvin from Latin Calvinus)" (Latin origin). Shawn means "God is gracious" (Hebrew (Yochanan) via Irish (Sean) origin).

Are Cal and Shawn boy or girl names?

Cal is primarily a boy name. Shawn is primarily a boy name.

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