Shirin
Meaningsweet · Persian
Shirin is an Arabic girl name meaning “sweet”, with Persian roots. Persian names often draw on poetry, light and the natural world. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationShirin peaked in 1985, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Shirin you'd meet today is about 40 years old. Now it's back in style, so there's a whole new generation of baby Shirins too.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Shirin would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 107,527 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryShirin first shows up in US birth records in 1938, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 87 years since.
US births per million girls, 1938–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Shirin
Shirin is a girl name of Arabic origin meaning “sweet”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It hit its peak in the 1980s and is climbing again now. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
More Arabic girl names
- Girl name: Eleanor · possibly light
- Girl name: Layla · night
- Girl name: Lyla · night
- Girl name: Aaliyah · exalted
- Girl name: Amira · princess
- Girl name: Lilly · lily flower
- Girl name: Leila · night
- Girl name: Aliyah · ascent
Questions about the name Shirin
What does the name Shirin mean?
Shirin means “sweet” and comes from Persian. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Dulce (“sweet”), Rihanna (“sweet basil”), Candy (“sweet”) and Nandi (“sweet one”).
What is the origin of the name Shirin?
Shirin is Arabic in origin, and its meaning traces back to Persian. Other Arabic names to consider are Eleanor (“possibly light”), Layla (“night”), Lyla (“night”) and Aaliyah (“exalted”).
Is Shirin a boy or girl name?
Shirin is a girl name. In 2025, 15 US girls were named Shirin.
How popular is the name Shirin?
Shirin ranked #7,133 for US girls in 2025, given to 15 babies. Its best year was 1985, when it reached #3,246. Over the last five years it has climbed 2,413 places.
What names are similar to Shirin?
If you like Shirin, you might also like Dulce, Rihanna, Candy and Nandi.
What should I know before naming my baby Shirin?
Shirin is an Arabic girl name meaning “sweet”, with Persian roots. Persian names often draw on poetry, light and the natural world. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.