Sheldon
Every Sheldon since 1881 — 37,172 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Sheldon
Sheldon is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,788 in 2025 with 46 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1881, 37,172 American babies have been named Sheldon. Its peak came in 1992, when 624 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 Sheldon stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Sheldon 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 | — | — | 46 | #2,788 |
| 2024 | — | — | 81 | #1,953 |
| 2023 | — | — | 60 | #2,339 |
| 2022 | — | — | 68 | #2,164 |
| 2021 | — | — | 72 | #2,054 |
| 2020 | — | — | 79 | #1,891 |
| 2019 | — | — | 110 | #1,541 |
| 2018 | — | — | 126 | #1,399 |
| 2017 | — | — | 134 | #1,339 |
| 2016 | — | — | 131 | #1,364 |
| 2015 | — | — | 140 | #1,281 |
| 2014 | — | — | 166 | #1,145 |
| 2013 | — | — | 180 | #1,055 |
| 2012 | — | — | 216 | #945 |
| 2011 | — | — | 176 | #1,069 |
| 2010 | — | — | 200 | #987 |
| 2009 | — | — | 189 | #1,031 |
| 2008 | — | — | 211 | #952 |
| 2007 | — | — | 206 | #957 |
| 2006 | — | — | 242 | #842 |
| 2005 | — | — | 257 | #773 |
| 2004 | — | — | 239 | #762 |
| 2003 | — | — | 230 | #769 |
| 2002 | 8 | #12,032 | 265 | #688 |
| 2001 | 10 | #9,995 | 329 | #601 |
| 2000 | 8 | #11,630 | 301 | #623 |
| 1995 | 20 | #4,994 | 493 | #459 |
| 1990 | 15 | #6,095 | 501 | #441 |
| 1985 | 13 | #5,613 | 326 | #481 |
| 1980 | — | — | 321 | #469 |
| 1975 | 8 | #7,028 | 368 | #399 |
| 1970 | 9 | #5,743 | 416 | #392 |
| 1965 | 14 | #3,515 | 396 | #393 |
| 1960 | — | — | 390 | #402 |
| 1955 | 5 | #6,572 | 353 | #384 |
| 1950 | 6 | #5,212 | 404 | #335 |
| 1945 | — | — | 368 | #309 |
| 1940 | — | — | 384 | #286 |
| 1935 | — | — | 465 | #249 |
| 1930 | — | — | 405 | #282 |
| 1925 | — | — | 323 | #318 |
| 1920 | — | — | 200 | #424 |
| 1915 | — | — | 125 | #496 |
| 1910 | — | — | 15 | #816 |
| 1905 | — | — | 5 | #1,403 |
| 1900 | — | — | 13 | #727 |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | 5 | #1,080 |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Sheldon
- Sheldon Lee Glashow Physicist · b. 1932
- Sheldon Adelson Businessperson · b. 1933
- Sheldon Leonard Actor · 1907–1997
- Sheldon Whitehouse Politician · b. 1955
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Sheldon in 2025?
Sheldon ranked #2,788 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 46 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Sheldon?
37,172 babies have been named Sheldon in the United States since 1881, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Sheldon most popular?
Sheldon peaked in 1992, when 624 newborns received the name.
Is Sheldon a boy or girl name?
Sheldon is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Sheldon rising or falling?
Sheldon is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Sheldon?
Well-known people named Sheldon include Sheldon Lee Glashow (physicist), Sheldon Adelson (businessperson), Sheldon Leonard (actor).