boys' name · peaked 1997

Shakur

Borrowed from Arabic شَكُور (šakūr, “thankful, grateful”).

Every Shakur since 1987 — 1,622 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.020.040.060.0818801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#3,832
among boys
Babies in 2025
29
named Shakur
Peak year
1997
128 babies
All-time total
1,622
since 1987

The story of Shakur

Shakur is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,832 in 2025 with 29 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1987, 1,622 American babies have been named Shakur. Its peak came in 1997, when 128 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Shakur stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Shakur year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 29 #3,832
2024 60 #2,364
2023 65 #2,217
2022 56 #2,489
2021 66 #2,168
2020 55 #2,412
2019 63 #2,227
2018 49 #2,609
2017 37 #3,184
2016 43 #2,828
2015 32 #3,500
2014 28 #3,763
2013 27 #3,844
2012 25 #4,108
2011 19 #4,955
2010 20 #4,818
2009 25 #4,141
2008 21 #4,680
2007 34 #3,296
2006 35 #3,144
2005 35 #3,006
2004 44 #2,529
2003 57 #2,027
2002 46 #2,287
2001 45 #2,269
2000 53 #1,963
1995 46 #1,886
1990
1985
1980
1975
1970
1965
1960
1955
1950
1945
1940
1935
1930
1925
1920
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Shakur

  1. Shakur Stevenson Boxer · b. 1997

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Shakur mean?

Borrowed from Arabic شَكُور (šakūr, “thankful, grateful”).

How popular is the name Shakur in 2025?

Shakur ranked #3,832 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 29 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Shakur?

1,622 babies have been named Shakur in the United States since 1987, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Shakur most popular?

Shakur peaked in 1997, when 128 newborns received the name.

Is Shakur a boy or girl name?

Shakur is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.

Is the name Shakur rising or falling?

Shakur is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Shakur?

Well-known people named Shakur include Shakur Stevenson (boxer).

Names like Shakur

Compare Shakur with similar names →