UK boy's name
Shun
A masculine Japanese name meaning obedient or submissive.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2013. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shun is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Shun popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2013 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3822, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 4 births.
This profile covers 17 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1999 to 2013. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 17 living people in the UK are called Shun. 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 2014 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shun ranked #3822 for boys in England and Wales in 2013, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 4 boys were registered as Shun.
- • About 17 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shun as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3822
2013
Births in 2013
4
Latest year
Peak year
2009
4 births
Estimated living
17
2026
Meaning
What does Shun mean?
The name Shun has its origins in Chinese culture, dating back to ancient times. It is a masculine given name derived from the Chinese word "shun," which means obedient, compliant, or submissive. The name carries connotations of humility, respect, and adherence to principles.
One of the earliest and most notable references to the name Shun can be found in the ancient Chinese philosophical text, the Analects of Confucius, which was written during the 5th century BCE. In this work, Shun is portrayed as a legendary sage king who ruled with great virtue and wisdom, setting an example of benevolent leadership.
Throughout Chinese history, several notable figures have borne the name Shun. One of the most famous was Shun Di (126-144 CE), an emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty. He is remembered for his efforts to restore order and stability to the empire after a period of turmoil and rebellion.
Another prominent individual with the name Shun was Shun Tsung (601-604 CE), an emperor of the Sui dynasty. His reign was short-lived, but he is credited with initiating important construction projects, such as the extensive network of canals and waterways that facilitated transportation and trade.
In the realm of literature, the name Shun is associated with Shun Qing (1629-1701), a renowned Chinese scholar and poet during the Qing dynasty. His works, which were influential in shaping the literary landscape of his time, are still studied and appreciated today.
Moving to more recent history, Shun Chi-yi (1900-1979) was a prominent Chinese painter and calligrapher who played a significant role in preserving and promoting traditional Chinese art forms during the turbulent 20th century.
While the name Shun has its roots in Chinese culture, it has also been adopted and used in other parts of the world, particularly in Asian communities influenced by Chinese culture and language. However, its origins and historical significance remain firmly rooted in the rich tapestry of Chinese history and tradition.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shun over time
The chart below shows babies named Shun registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 to 2013. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shun, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2013, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shun by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shun 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #3822 | 4 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3737 | 10 | 3 |
| 1990s | #2943 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Shun
- 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
Shun: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shun in the UK right now?
In 2013, Shun was ranked #3822 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Shun most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 4 babies registered as Shun in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shun?
A masculine Japanese name meaning obedient or submissive.
How many people are called Shun in the UK?
A total of 17 babies have been registered as Shun 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.