UK boy's name
Deshawn
A masculine name derived from French meaning "of Shaw", referring to a town.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Deshawn is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Deshawn popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4789, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 10 births.
This profile covers 86 England and Wales registrations across 16 recorded years from 2001 to 2021. 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 30% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 85 living people in the UK are called Deshawn. 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 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Deshawn ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales in 2021, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2006, when 10 boys were registered as Deshawn.
- • About 85 living people in the UK are estimated to have Deshawn as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4789
2021
Births in 2021
3
Latest year
Peak year
2006
10 births
Estimated living
85
2026
Meaning
What does Deshawn mean?
The name Deshawn is a modern English name with roots in both French and African American culture. Its origins can be traced back to the late 20th century, particularly in urban communities within the United States.
The name Deshawn is believed to be a combination of the French prefix "de-" meaning "of" or "from," and the English name "Shawn," which itself is derived from the Irish name Seán or Séamus. The prefix "de-" was likely added to create a more unique and distinctive name, reflecting a desire for individuality and cultural identity.
While the name Deshawn does not have any direct historical references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its emergence can be seen as a reflection of the African American experience and the blending of different cultural influences. The use of French prefixes with English or Irish names was a way for African Americans to create new, distinctive names that celebrated their unique heritage and identity.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Deshawn can be found in the 1970s, when it began to gain popularity within African American communities. However, it was not until the 1980s and 1990s that the name truly gained widespread recognition and usage.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Deshawn. One of the earliest and most prominent was Deshawn Stevenson (born 1981), an American professional basketball player who played in the NBA for teams such as the Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks. Another well-known Deshawn was Deshawn Wynn (born 1984), a former American football running back who played for teams like the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers.
In the entertainment industry, Deshawn Stevenson (born 1989) is an American actor and model, best known for his roles in television shows like "Empire" and "Power." Deshawn Goncalves (born 1984) is a Canadian actor and producer who has appeared in films such as "Saw IV" and "The Strain."
Finally, Deshawn Painter (born 1992) is an American mixed martial artist who has competed in various promotions, including the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Bellator MMA.
These individuals, spanning various fields and professions, have helped to popularize and establish the name Deshawn as a distinct and recognizable moniker within modern society.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Deshawn over time
The chart below shows babies named Deshawn registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Deshawn, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2021, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Deshawn by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Deshawn 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4789 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #3920 | 26 | 6 |
| 2000s | #2384 | 57 | 9 |
Related
Names similar to Deshawn
- Daniel 120,900
- Dylan 60,836
- David 37,852
- Dominic 20,480
- Declan 11,657
- Dexter 11,627
- Danny 8,434
- Dean 5,329
- Dillon 4,113
- Douglas 3,773
- Dominik 3,494
- Damian 3,486
FAQ
Deshawn: questions and answers
How popular is the name Deshawn in the UK right now?
In 2021, Deshawn was ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Deshawn most popular?
The peak year on record was 2006, with 10 babies registered as Deshawn in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Deshawn?
A masculine name derived from French meaning "of Shaw", referring to a town.
How many people are called Deshawn in the UK?
A total of 86 babies have been registered as Deshawn across the 16 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.