Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Shane

Shane represents the Northern Irish pronunciation of the Irish name Seán. The name Sean, in turn, is the Irish form of the English name John which is derived from the French Jean. The original French form (Jean) was brought to Ireland by way of the Norman Invasion in the Middle Ages and quickly adopted into the form of Seán, but also Seón and Seaghán. In Scotland, the name was transformed into Ian. Interestingly, in the south of Ireland, the name is pronounced “shawn” but the Northern Irish elocution is more typically “Shane.” The name Shane still appears on the Top 100 list of most commonly used boy names in both Ireland and Northern Ireland, but it’s more popular in Ireland today (even though it originated out of Northern Ireland). Occasionally the name Shane is given to girls, but for the most part, Shane is considered a male name. It is also sometimes thought to be the masculine form of the Yiddish female name “Shayna” which means ‘beautiful.’

All About the Baby Name – Shane

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME SHANE

The Number 2 personality in numerology is all about cooperation and balance. It's the number of diplomats and mediators. They are not leaders, but strive rather for harmony in partnerships. These are the peacemakers. Equality and fairness are important in their dealings, and they are willing to share power and responsibility to achieve a harmonious outcome. This personality is calm and patient, waiting for things to evolve instead of pushing aggressively for an outcome. They are good-natured and easy-going, and care deeply on an emotional and spiritual plane. Twos appreciate beauty and nature and are intent on making the world a better place.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME SHANE

The name Shane first appeared on the U.S. naming charts for boys in 1953. No coincidence, this was the year that the movie “Shane” was released – a classic, award-winning American West film based off a 1949 novel of the same name. As a result, the name Shane debuted on the charts from nowhere at an impressive position of #523. Even as the novel/movie was fading from the memories of the America public, the name sure didn’t. Shane stuck to the charts and held on with an iron grip. By 1969, the name was a Top 100 favorite for boys. The height of Shane’s popularity came in the mid-1970s when it very nearly became a Top 50 choice. Nonetheless, Shane stayed on the Top 100 list for over 25 years until finally falling off in 1995. Shane has been experiencing backward momentum since the turn of the 21st century, but it’s still hanging in there. Shane is an easy, breezy, one-syllable choice; a name that’s easy to say and easy to spell. It has an individual “cool guy” quality that matches the lone mysterious stranger from the novel/movie. Shane is a great alternative to the traditional and more “ho-hum” name John. It’s a modern variation of Sean while retaining the same Gaelic roots. Shane is indeed a “gracious gift” from above.

Quick Facts

ON SHANE

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

Gaelic

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

1

RANKING POPULARITY:

257

PRONUNCIATION:

SHAYN

SIMPLE MEANING:

God's gracious gift

Characteristics

OF SHANE

Cooperative

Considerate

Compassionate

Nurturing

Sensitive

Patient

Loving

Kind

Gracious

Balanced

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Shane

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME SHANE

Shane is the title character of Jack Schaefer’s 1949 novel, Shane, but most people’s image of Shane is that of the iconic figure played by Alan Ladd in the 1953 Paramount western directed by George Stevens. Shane, a stranger, arrives in a territory of Wisconsin that is going through conflict between the cattle barons (black hats) and the homesteaders (white hats). He, a crack gunslinger and experienced cowboy, becomes involved in the battle on behalf of the homesteaders, especially for the sake of the Starrett family, for whom he works as a farmhand. He eventually steps in to single-handedly win the battle for the side of Good, and rides off into the sunset. We are left, like the young Starrett son, with a sense of having been in the presence of contained greatness, bereft at losing him, and better for having known him.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME SHANE

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Shane


Popular Songs

ON SHANE

All About Shane
a song by Subb

Shane
a song by Liz Phair [explicit]

Famous People

NAMED SHANE

Shane Acker (filmmaker)
Shane Battier (basketball player)
Shane Alexander (English Earl)
Shane Carwin (American MMA fighter)
Shayne Corson (hockey player)
Shane Doan (hockey player)
Shane Dorian (professional surfer)
Shane Filan (Irish pop singer)
Shane MacGowan (singer/songwriter with The Pogues)
Shane Matthews (football player)
Shane Reynolds (baseball player)
Shane Sparks (hip-hop choreographer)
Shane Victorino (baseball player)
Shane West (actor)
Shane McMahon (wrestling promoter)
Shane Acker (filmmaker)
Shane Battier (basketball player)
Shane Alexander (English Earl)
Shane Carwin (American MMA fighter)
Shayne Corson (hockey player)
Shane Doan (hockey player)
Shane Dorian (professional surfer)
Shane Filan (Irish pop singer)
Shane MacGowan (singer/songwriter with The Pogues)
Shane Matthews (football player)
Shane Reynolds (baseball player)
Shane Sparks (hip-hop choreographer)
Shane Victorino (baseball player)
Shane West (actor)
Shane McMahon (wrestling promoter)
Shane Acker (filmmaker)
Shane Battier (basketball player)
Shane Alexander (English Earl)
Shane Carwin (American MMA fighter)
Shayne Corson (hockey player)
Shane Doan (hockey player)
Shane Dorian (professional surfer)
Shane Filan (Irish pop singer)
Shane MacGowan (singer/songwriter with The Pogues)
Shane Matthews (football player)
Shane Reynolds (baseball player)
Shane Sparks (hip-hop choreographer)
Shane Victorino (baseball player)
Shane West (actor)
Shane McMahon (wrestling promoter)

Children of Famous People

NAMED SHANE

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Shane

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME SHANE

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Shane