Boy
Sheldon
valley with steep sides
About Sheldon
This name brings immediate recognition through pop culture associations while maintaining legitimate historical credentials as both surname and given name. Sheldon possesses that vintage quality currently experiencing revival, fitting perfectly alongside other rediscovered classics like Arthur or Leonard. The two syllables provide solid, dependable rhythm—nothing flashy, just straightforward and reliable.
The name suggests intelligence and perhaps slight quirkiness, associations strengthened by its famous television character but predating that cultural moment considerably. Sheldon has that distinctly mid-century American feel, evoking a time of greater formality in naming conventions. It's sturdy and unpretentious, the kind of name that doesn't try to be anything other than itself. Some parents might worry about teasing related to popular culture references, while others see this recognition factor as enhancing familiarity and acceptance. The name works for someone expected to be thoughtful, dependable, and perhaps intellectually inclined. Its relative rarity today provides distinction without difficulty, and its clear pronunciation eliminates potential confusion. Sheldon represents a safe choice with character.
Popularity of the Name Sheldon
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | New Zealand | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1881 | #771 | |||
| 1884 | #833 | |||
| 1887 | #905 | |||
| 1889 | #959 | |||
| 1892 | #787 | |||
| 1896 | #885 | |||
| 1897 | #926 | |||
| 1900 | #725 | |||
| 1901 | #675 | |||
| 1902 | #786 | |||
| 1903 | #772 | |||
| 1904 | #717 | |||
| 1906 | #583 | |||
| 1907 | #695 | |||
| 1908 | #682 | |||
| 1909 | #675 | |||
| 1910 | #816 | |||
| 1911 | #623 | |||
| 1912 | #464 | |||
| 1913 | #572 | |||
| 1914 | #519 | |||
| 1915 | #496 | |||
| 1916 | #490 | |||
| 1917 | #473 | |||
| 1918 | #456 | |||
| 1919 | #417 | |||
| 1920 | #424 | |||
| 1921 | #407 | |||
| 1922 | #393 | |||
| 1923 | #381 | |||
| 1924 | #329 | |||
| 1925 | #318 | |||
| 1926 | #303 | |||
| 1927 | #302 | |||
| 1928 | #277 | |||
| 1929 | #276 | |||
| 1930 | #282 | |||
| 1931 | #273 | |||
| 1932 | #267 | |||
| 1933 | #252 | |||
| 1934 | #250 | |||
| 1935 | #249 | |||
| 1936 | #247 | |||
| 1937 | #257 | |||
| 1938 | #263 | |||
| 1939 | #285 | |||
| 1940 | #286 | |||
| 1941 | #284 | |||
| 1942 | #292 | |||
| 1943 | #286 | |||
| 1944 | #311 | |||
| 1945 | #309 | |||
| 1946 | #323 | |||
| 1947 | #333 | |||
| 1948 | #336 | |||
| 1949 | #345 | |||
| 1950 | #335 | |||
| 1951 | #379 | |||
| 1952 | #353 | |||
| 1953 | #390 | |||
| 1954 | #354 | |||
| 1955 | #383 | |||
| 1956 | #362 | |||
| 1957 | #374 | |||
| 1958 | #385 | |||
| 1959 | #409 | |||
| 1960 | #402 | |||
| 1961 | #394 | |||
| 1962 | #384 | |||
| 1963 | #404 | |||
| 1964 | #394 | |||
| 1965 | #393 | |||
| 1966 | #386 | |||
| 1967 | #383 | |||
| 1968 | #388 | |||
| 1969 | #391 | |||
| 1970 | #392 | |||
| 1971 | #412 | |||
| 1972 | #441 | |||
| 1973 | #426 | #312 | ||
| 1974 | #411 | #247 | ||
| 1975 | #399 | |||
| 1976 | #392 | #296 | ||
| 1977 | #430 | |||
| 1978 | #449 | |||
| 1979 | #452 | |||
| 1980 | #469 | |||
| 1981 | #463 | |||
| 1982 | #513 | |||
| 1983 | #491 | |||
| 1984 | #479 | |||
| 1985 | #481 | |||
| 1986 | #464 | |||
| 1987 | #462 | #294 | ||
| 1988 | #462 | #332 | ||
| 1989 | #485 | |||
| 1990 | #440 | #294 | ||
| 1991 | #415 | #290 | #165 | |
| 1992 | #380 | #260 | #162 | |
| 1993 | #446 | #364 | #167 | |
| 1994 | #438 | #303 | #193 | |
| 1995 | #459 | #183 | #171 | |
| 1996 | #476 | #206 | #179 | |
| 1997 | #475 | #480 | #279 | #196 |
| 1998 | #520 | #493 | #228 | #199 |
| 1999 | #553 | #533 | #247 | #205 |
| 2000 | #623 | #695 | #327 | #220 |
| 2001 | #601 | #957 | #261 | |
| 2002 | #688 | #758 | #271 | |
| 2003 | #768 | #774 | #295 | |
| 2004 | #762 | #272 | ||
| 2005 | #773 | #374 | ||
| 2006 | #842 | #340 | ||
| 2007 | #957 | #293 | ||
| 2008 | #952 | #391 | ||
| 2010 | #987 | #421 | ||
| 2012 | #945 | #458 | ||
| 2009 | #351 | |||
| 2011 | #444 | |||
| 2013 | #637 | |||
| 2014 | #532 | |||
| 2015 | #783 | |||
| 2016 | #765 | |||
| 2017 | #620 | |||
| 2018 | #826 | |||
| 2019 | #830 | |||
| 2020 | #873 | |||
| 2021 | #905 | |||
| 2023 | #907 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · New Zealand · Canada
Variations of Name Sheldon
Names Similar to Sheldon
Nicknames for Sheldon
- Shel
- Don
- Shell
- Donny
Famous People Named Sheldon
| Sheldon Adelson | American business magnate and philanthropist |
| Sheldon Keefe | Canadian ice hockey coach |
| Sheldon Leonard | American film and television producer |
| Sheldon Rankins | American football player |
| Sheldon Richardson | American football player |
| Sheldon Silverstein | American author and songwriter |
| Sheldon Brown | American football player |
| Sheldon Glashow | American physicist and Nobel laureate |
| Sheldon Harnick | American lyricist |
| Sheldon Kennedy | Canadian former ice hockey player and advocate |
| Sheldon Mayer | American comic book writer and artist |
| Sheldon Souray | Canadian former ice hockey player |
| Sheldon Smith | Jamaican footballer |
| Sheldon Thomas | English cricketer |
| Sheldon Whitehouse | American politician |
| Sheldon Young | British racing driver |
Characters Named Sheldon
| Sheldon Cooper | "The Big Bang Theory" |
| Sheldon J. Plankton | "SpongeBob SquarePants" |
| Sheldon Lee | "My Life as a Teenage Robot" |
| Sheldon O'Shannon | "Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog" |
| Sheldon the Seahorse | "Finding Nemo" |
| Sheldon Shrimp | "Rocko's Modern Life" |
| Sheldon S. Cargo | "Winnie the Pooh" |
| Sheldon Schlepper | "The Muppet Show" |
| Sheldon Skinner | "The Simpsons" |
| Sheldon Shifter | "Cars 3" |
| Sheldon Coleman | "Final Destination 5" |
| Sheldon Mopes | "Kronk's New Groove" |
| Sheldon Creed | "Cars 3" |
| Sheldon Riley | "The Umbrella Academy" |
| Sheldon Sands | "Sin City" |
| Sheldon Jeter | "Final Destination 4" |
| Sheldon Hilda | "Sherlock Hound" |
| Sheldon Plankton Sr. | "SpongeBob SquarePants" |
| Sheldon Wallace | "Knots Landing" |