Meaning: Its source is a Gaelic expression meaning "Old one."

Alternative Spellings: Shannan and Shannen

Variant Forms: Channon

Popularity: The name Shannon ranked 785th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics and 317th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name has fluctuated in use, it has been quietly present throughout the last century.

Narrative: This Irish placename and surname is mainly popular as a first name in the U.S.

Meaning: Its source is a Gaelic expression meaning "Old one."

Languages: This girl's name is used in English.

Compound Forms: Shannise

Alternative Spellings: Channon, Shannan, Shannen and Shanon

Variant Forms: Lashannon, Shanan, Shanna, Shannondoah, Shannyn and Shanine

Popularity: The name Shannon ranked 184th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics and 123rd in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

This name first made its appearance on state popularity lists before 1993, but is becoming less commonly used. In some cases, it has fallen off the lists altogether.

Narrative: This Irish river name and surname is especially popular in the U.S. Its meaning might refer to an ancient Celtic diety identified with the river.

Scholars speculate that Shannon may owe its American popularity to its similarity to Sharon, or to its rhyming reference to the more traditional Irish name Erin.