UK boy's name
Shin
A Japanese name meaning "true", "genuine", or "prosperous".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1997. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shin is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Shin popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1997 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2859, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 1997 to 1997. 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.
Shin is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Shin. 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 1998 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shin ranked #2859 for boys in England and Wales in 1997, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 3 boys were registered as Shin.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shin as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2859
1997
Births in 1997
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Shin mean?
The name Shin has its origins in several cultures and languages around the world. In Japanese, the name Shin is written with the kanji character 真, which means "true" or "genuine." This name has been used in Japan for centuries and is often associated with virtues such as honesty, sincerity, and authenticity.
In Korean, the name Shin is written with the Hangul characters 신, which can have various meanings depending on the context. It can mean "new," "god," or "spirit." The name Shin has been used in Korea for a long time and has roots in Korean mythology and belief systems.
The name Shin also has a presence in Hebrew and Aramaic languages, where it is written as שין. In these Semitic languages, the name is linked to the word "shin," which means "tooth" or "sharp." This connection could suggest associations with strength, resilience, or sharpness.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Shin can be found in ancient Chinese texts, where it appeared as a personal name or a surname. In the Shiji, a historical record of ancient China, there are references to individuals with the name Shin who lived during the Warring States period (475-221 BCE).
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Shin. One example is Shin Bunroku (1601-1672), a renowned Japanese poet and calligrapher from the Edo period. Another is Shin Yun-bok (1923-2022), a renowned Korean artist known for his intricate calligraphic works.
In the realm of religion and philosophy, Shin Buddhism, a branch of Pure Land Buddhism, was founded by the Japanese Buddhist monk Shinran (1173-1263). Shinran's teachings emphasized the concept of salvation through faith in the Amida Buddha.
In the world of martial arts, Shin Kyokushin Karate was founded by Masutatsu Oyama (1923-1994), a Japanese karate master known for his rigorous training methods and his emphasis on full-contact fighting.
Another notable figure is Shin Sang-ok (1926-2006), a Korean film director and producer who was famous for his contributions to the Golden Age of Korean cinema in the 1950s and 1960s.
The name Shin has a rich history and diverse cultural connections, spanning various languages, belief systems, and artistic disciplines. Its meanings range from honesty and authenticity to strength and sharpness, reflecting the versatility and depth of this name across different cultures and contexts.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Shin by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | #2859 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Shin
- 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
Shin: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shin in the UK right now?
In 1997, Shin was ranked #2859 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Shin most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 3 babies registered as Shin in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shin?
A Japanese name meaning "true", "genuine", or "prosperous".
How many people are called Shin in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Shin across the 1 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.