UK boy's name
Shaine
A masculine name of Irish and English origin meaning "God is gracious".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2006. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shaine is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Shaine popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2006 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3385, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 6 births.
This profile covers 21 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1996 to 2006. 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 67% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 21 living people in the UK are called Shaine. 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 2007 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shaine ranked #3385 for boys in England and Wales in 2006, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 6 boys were registered as Shaine.
- • About 21 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shaine as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3385
2006
Births in 2006
4
Latest year
Peak year
1997
6 births
Estimated living
21
2026
Meaning
What does Shaine mean?
The name Shaine is believed to have originated from the Gaelic language, which is a branch of the Celtic languages spoken in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. The name is thought to be derived from the Gaelic word "sean," which means "old" or "ancient."
In ancient Celtic culture, the name Shaine was likely used to signify respect for elders or to indicate a connection to the past. The name may have been given to children in the hope that they would grow to embody the qualities of wisdom and experience associated with old age.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Shaine can be found in Irish folklore and mythology. In the tale of the Children of Lir, a character named Shaine is described as a wise and revered druid who helps break a curse placed on the four children of the king.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Shaine. One of the most famous was Shaine O'Connor (1180-1240), an Irish king who ruled over the Kingdom of Connacht in the 13th century. He was known for his military prowess and his efforts to resist the Norman invasion of Ireland.
Another prominent individual named Shaine was Shaine MacLean (1570-1635), a Scottish clan chief and military leader who fought in the Thirty Years' War. He is remembered for his bravery and loyalty to the Scottish Crown.
In the realm of literature, Shaine O'Brien (1720-1790) was an Irish poet and writer whose works celebrated the beauty of the Irish landscape and the resilience of the Irish people. His poetry was popular during the Romantic era and helped to preserve the cultural heritage of Ireland.
In more recent times, Shaine Grimes (1910-1988) was an Irish-American actor known for his roles in numerous Hollywood films, including "The Quiet Man" and "The Searchers." He was celebrated for his ability to portray complex and nuanced characters with depth and sensitivity.
These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Shaine. While the name may have ancient roots, its legacy has endured, representing a connection to the past and a respect for the wisdom that comes with age.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shaine over time
The chart below shows babies named Shaine registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2006. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shaine, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2006, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shaine by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shaine 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 | #3518 | 7 | 2 |
| 1990s | #2179 | 14 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Shaine
- Samuel 108,505
- Sebastian 33,008
- Sam 20,889
- Stanley 16,354
- Sonny 15,028
- Sean 15,006
- Scott 12,587
- Seth 9,841
- Syed 9,050
- Stephen 8,884
- Spencer 8,333
- Steven 6,970
FAQ
Shaine: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shaine in the UK right now?
In 2006, Shaine was ranked #3385 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Shaine most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 6 babies registered as Shaine in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shaine?
A masculine name of Irish and English origin meaning "God is gracious".
How many people are called Shaine in the UK?
A total of 21 babies have been registered as Shaine across the 5 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.