Shun
Meaningoften swift, talented · Japanese
Shun is a Japanese boy name often meaning “swift, talented”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. 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 short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name.
Did you know?
- GenerationShun peaked in 1973, which makes it a Gen X name. The typical Shun you'd meet today is about 52 years old.
- HistoryShun first shows up in US birth records in 1925, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 100 years since.
US births per million boys, 1925–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Shun
Shun is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often swift, talented”. Short and strong, it's said in a single beat with a crisp finish, so it pairs easily with a longer middle name. It hit its peak in the 1970s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Japanese names
More Japanese boy names
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Rio · river
- Unisex name: Akari · light, brightness
- Boy name: Kenzo · often healthy third son
- Boy name: Kenji · often strong second son
- Unisex name: Ren · often lotus
- Unisex name: Zen · meditation
- Unisex name: Mars · god of war
Questions about the name Shun
What does the name Shun mean?
Shun means “often swift, talented” and comes from Japanese. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Joon (“often talented”), Shunji (“often talented second son”), Shunpei (“often talented and peaceful”) and Shunsuke (“often talented helper”).
What is the origin of the name Shun?
Shun is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Shun a boy or girl name?
Shun is a boy name.
How popular is the name Shun?
Shun is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2023. It peaked at #1,312 in 1973, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Shun?
If you like Shun, you might also like Joon, Shunji, Shunpei and Shunsuke.
What should I know before naming my baby Shun?
Shun is a Japanese boy name often meaning “swift, talented”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. 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 short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.