Shaw
Shaw is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Thicket, copse of trees, or small wood.
Origin and history
Shaw is a surname-derived masculine given name of English and Scottish origin. Derived from the Old English word 'scaga' meaning 'thicket' or 'copse of trees', it also carries Scottish Gaelic associations with 'thicket'. In the United States, Shaw remains a distinct, rare choice that has seen mild usage over the past century.
Popularity in the United States
1,336 babies in the United States have been named Shaw since 1880. It ranks #3372 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1750.
States where it is most popular
- CA (83.9 %)
- NY (16.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 6 |
| 1920-1930 | 12 |
| 1930-1940 | 5 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 16 |
| 1960-1970 | 71 |
| 1970-1980 | 195 |
| 1980-1990 | 179 |
| 1990-2000 | 186 |
| 2000-2010 | 205 |
| 2010-2019 | 284 |
| 2020-2029 | 177 |
Famous people named Shaw
- Shaw Taylor: Television presenter, Actor
Fun facts
- The name originally described someone who lived near a small wood or thicket.
- In Scotland, Shaw can also be an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Seaghda, meaning 'fine' or 'stately'.