Shelton
Every Shelton since 1880 — 12,145 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Shelton
Shelton is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #4,837 in 2025 with 21 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 12,145 American babies have been named Shelton. Its peak came in 1972, when 185 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
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 Shelton stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Shelton 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 | — | — | 21 | #4,837 |
| 2024 | — | — | 21 | #4,856 |
| 2023 | — | — | 25 | #4,321 |
| 2022 | — | — | 24 | #4,417 |
| 2021 | — | — | 29 | #3,805 |
| 2020 | — | — | 32 | #3,479 |
| 2019 | — | — | 31 | #3,624 |
| 2018 | — | — | 25 | #4,200 |
| 2017 | — | — | 47 | #2,666 |
| 2016 | — | — | 40 | #2,981 |
| 2015 | — | — | 62 | #2,206 |
| 2014 | — | — | 55 | #2,367 |
| 2013 | 5 | #18,877 | 58 | #2,247 |
| 2012 | — | — | 62 | #2,169 |
| 2011 | — | — | 73 | #1,920 |
| 2010 | — | — | 60 | #2,207 |
| 2009 | — | — | 66 | #2,095 |
| 2008 | 5 | #20,032 | 73 | #1,964 |
| 2007 | 6 | #17,298 | 83 | #1,779 |
| 2006 | — | — | 98 | #1,533 |
| 2005 | — | — | 95 | #1,512 |
| 2004 | — | — | 103 | #1,392 |
| 2003 | — | — | 108 | #1,303 |
| 2002 | 6 | #15,117 | 109 | #1,253 |
| 2001 | 7 | #13,267 | 93 | #1,377 |
| 2000 | 8 | #11,632 | 106 | #1,251 |
| 1995 | 6 | #13,144 | 123 | #1,004 |
| 1990 | — | — | 155 | #821 |
| 1985 | — | — | 117 | #830 |
| 1980 | 7 | #8,928 | 121 | #798 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8,860 | 168 | #624 |
| 1970 | — | — | 142 | #699 |
| 1965 | — | — | 156 | #615 |
| 1960 | — | — | 147 | #645 |
| 1955 | — | — | 146 | #615 |
| 1950 | — | — | 124 | #620 |
| 1945 | — | — | 106 | #591 |
| 1940 | — | — | 100 | #596 |
| 1935 | — | — | 97 | #587 |
| 1930 | — | — | 67 | #793 |
| 1925 | — | — | 81 | #722 |
| 1920 | — | — | 79 | #737 |
| 1915 | — | — | 58 | #802 |
| 1910 | — | — | 26 | #567 |
| 1905 | — | — | 14 | #660 |
| 1900 | — | — | 7 | #1,149 |
| 1895 | — | — | 6 | #1,067 |
| 1890 | — | — | 5 | #1,142 |
| 1885 | — | — | 8 | #756 |
| 1880 | — | — | 7 | #797 |
Famous people named Shelton
- Shelton Benjamin Wrestler · b. 1975
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Shelton in 2025?
Shelton ranked #4,837 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 21 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Shelton?
12,145 babies have been named Shelton in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Shelton most popular?
Shelton peaked in 1972, when 185 newborns received the name.
Is Shelton a boy or girl name?
Shelton is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Shelton rising or falling?
Shelton is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Shelton?
Well-known people named Shelton include Shelton Benjamin (wrestler).