Shaw vs Whitman

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Shaw

Boy #4,307 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"thicket, small wood"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

Scottish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,307
Total SSA Count
25
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Shaw →

Popularity Comparison

Shaw Rank #4,307
Whitman Rank #4,125

Whitman is more popular, ranked #4125 vs #4307 for Shaw.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Shaw ___

  • Shaw James
  • Shaw William
  • Shaw Alexander
  • Shaw Reid
  • Shaw Cole
  • Shaw Bennett

Whitman ___

  • Whitman James
  • Whitman Cole
  • Whitman Lee
  • Whitman Blake
  • Whitman Finn
  • Whitman Grant

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Shaw

Hayes Greer Quinn Sloane Reid

If you choose Whitman

Emerson Thoreau Alcott Tennyson Longfellow

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 Shaw or Whitman more popular?

Whitman is more popular, ranked #4125 compared to Shaw at #4307 in the United States.

What do Shaw and Whitman mean?

Shaw means "thicket, small wood" (Old English origin). Whitman means "white man, fair-haired man" (Old English origin).

Are Shaw and Whitman boy or girl names?

Shaw is primarily a boy name. Whitman is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Shaw ← Full profile: Whitman Browse all baby names