What Does the Name Shane Mean?
Shane is a boy's name of Irish (from Hebrew) origin meaning “God is gracious.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Shane |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Irish (from Hebrew) |
| Meaning | God is gracious |
| Variants | Seán, Shaun, Shayne, Shawn |
| Popularity | Most popular in Ireland, Australia, and the United States, especially after the 1953 film 'Shane'. |
The meaning and origin of Shane
The name Shane means “God is gracious” and has Irish (from Hebrew) origins. An anglicized form of the Irish 'Seán' (a Gaelic form of John), ultimately from the Hebrew 'Yochanan', meaning 'God is gracious'. The spelling reflects the Ulster pronunciation.
Variants and related names
Shane is related to several other names you may recognize: Seán, Shaun, Shayne, Shawn. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Shane?
Most popular in Ireland, Australia, and the United States, especially after the 1953 film 'Shane'.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Shane mean?+
The name Shane means “God is gracious” and is of Irish (from Hebrew) origin.
What is the origin of the name Shane?+
Shane originates from Irish (from Hebrew).
Is Shane a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Shane has trended in the US over time.
Shane by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press