NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Channon

A feminine name derived from the Irish Shannon, meaning "old river".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2008. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Channon is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Channon popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2008 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5545, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 13 births.

This profile covers 62 England and Wales registrations across 9 recorded years from 1996 to 2008. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 23% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 62 living people in the UK are called Channon. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2009 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Channon ranked #5545 for girls in England and Wales in 2008, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1998, when 13 girls were registered as Channon.
  • About 62 living people in the UK are estimated to have Channon as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5545

2008

Births in 2008

3

Latest year

Peak year

1998

13 births

Estimated living

62

2026

Meaning

What does Channon mean?

The given name Channon has its origins in the Old English language, derived from the word "cænan," which means "to show forth" or "to make known." This name was prevalent in Anglo-Saxon England during the 5th to 11th centuries.

Channon is closely related to the Old English name Cænnan, which shares a similar meaning and spelling. It also has connections to the Old Norse name Kænni, reflecting the cultural exchange and influence between the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings during that period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Channon can be found in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a collection of annals documenting the history of the Anglo-Saxons. The name appears in entries from the 9th century, suggesting its use among the nobility and ruling classes of the time.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Channon. One of the earliest recorded was Channon of Mercia (c. 850 - 920), a prominent Anglo-Saxon nobleman and military leader who played a crucial role in the defense of Mercia against Viking invasions.

Another notable figure was Channon the Scholar (c. 1050 - 1120), a renowned monk and scholar from the Benedictine abbey of Malmesbury. He was renowned for his extensive writings and contributions to the preservation of ancient manuscripts.

During the Middle Ages, the name Channon was also found in various religious texts and chronicles. Channon of Avranches (c. 1080 - 1150) was a Benedictine monk and historian who authored a significant work on the history of the Norman Conquest of England.

In the 16th century, Channon Barker (c. 1540 - 1610) was a prominent English merchant and tradesman who played a significant role in the expansion of commercial activities in London.

Another notable figure was Channon Willoughby (c. 1660 - 1720), an English soldier and military officer who served in the Nine Years' War and later became a member of the Parliament of England.

While the name Channon has ancient roots and a rich history, it has become less common in modern times, particularly in its traditional English spelling. However, its variants, such as Shannon and Chanel, have gained popularity as given names in various cultures and regions around the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Channon over time

The chart below shows babies named Channon registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2008. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Channon, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2008, compared with 13 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Channon
0371013199620022008

Decades

Channon by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Channon was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2000s #3930 20 5
1990s #1630 42 4

Related

Names similar to Channon

FAQ

Channon: questions and answers

How popular is the name Channon in the UK right now?

In 2008, Channon was ranked #5545 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Channon most popular?

The peak year on record was 1998, with 13 babies registered as Channon in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Channon?

A feminine name derived from the Irish Shannon, meaning "old river".

How many people are called Channon in the UK?

A total of 62 babies have been registered as Channon across the 9 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.