Shamus
Shamus is a boy's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Supplanter, one who follows.
Origin and history
Shamus is an Anglicized spelling of Séamus, the Irish Gaelic form of James. It ultimately traces back to the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel.' In the United States, it is a relatively rare masculine choice with a strong Irish heritage connection.
Popularity in the United States
1,778 babies in the United States have been named Shamus since 1880. It ranks #3031 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1885.
States where it is most popular
- MA (32.6 %)
- NY (24.6 %)
- PA (19.1 %)
- CA (14.2 %)
- TX (3.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 7 |
| 1960-1970 | 38 |
| 1970-1980 | 339 |
| 1980-1990 | 280 |
| 1990-2000 | 350 |
| 2000-2010 | 502 |
| 2010-2019 | 220 |
| 2020-2029 | 42 |
Fun facts
- Shamus is a phonetic English spelling of the traditional Irish name Séamus.
- In mid-20th-century American slang, 'shamus' became an informal term for a detective.