Boy · #8,799 in 2026

Shang

The Shang dynasty, also known as the Yin dynasty, was a Chinese royal dynasty that ruled in the Yellow River valley during the 2nd millennium BC, traditionally succeeding the Xia dynasty and followed by the Western Zhou dynasty. The classic account of the Shang comes from texts such as the Book of Documents, Bamboo Annals and Shiji.

Current Rank
#8,799
Peak Rank
#4,056 (1973)
Total Babies
25
5-Yr Trend
Stable
1973
First Year
1994
Last Year
1973
Peak Year
#4056
Peak Rank
25
Total Count
4
Years Active

Meaning & Origin of Shang

What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.

The Shang dynasty, also known as the Yin dynasty, was a Chinese royal dynasty that ruled in the Yellow River valley during the 2nd millennium BC, traditionally succeeding the Xia dynasty and followed by the Western Zhou dynasty. The classic account of the Shang comes from texts such as the Book of Documents, Bamboo Annals and Shiji.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →

The Story of Shang

Shang first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a baby boy name in 1973, with 7 babies given the name that year. Its peak popularity came in 1973, when 7 Shangs were born — ranking #4,056 that year. As of 2026, Shang ranks #8,799 for baby boys with 5 births, with steady use. In total, more than 25 Shangs have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1970s through the 2020s.

Popularity Over Time

Popularity by State

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Names that sound like Shang

Phonetically similar names — useful when Shang is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.

Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.

Frequently Asked Questions about Shang

What does the name Shang mean?
The Shang dynasty, also known as the Yin dynasty, was a Chinese royal dynasty that ruled in the Yellow River valley during the 2nd millennium BC, traditionally succeeding the Xia dynasty and followed by the Western Zhou dynasty. The classic account of the Shang comes from texts such as the Book of Documents, Bamboo Annals and Shiji.
How popular is Shang in 2026?
In 2026, Shang ranks #8,799 among boys' names in the U.S., with 5 babies given the name that year.
When was Shang most popular?
Shang reached its peak popularity in 1973, ranking #4,056 that year with 7 babies given the name.
Is Shang a unisex name?
In U.S. Social Security records, Shang is primarily a boy's name. We don't have meaningful data for it as a girl's name.
What names go well with Shang?
Names that share a similar style or popularity range with Shang include Oman, Wydell, Toronto. These pairings are based on rank proximity and naming era in U.S. data.

About the name Shang

Shang is a boy baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1973 and has accumulated 25 births in the dataset. Shang's peak popularity came in 1973 when it ranked #4,056. Use the chart and map above to compare Shang's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.

Continue exploring

Data sources

  • Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
  • Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
  • Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
  • Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
  • Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .

Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.