US Popularity Rank: 28317

Origin: Irish

Meaning: Old river; Possessor of wisdom

Shannen is a gender-neutral name of Irish origin. A variant of Shannon, which is an anglicized form of Sionainn, it derives from the Irish river of the same name. Called Abha na tSionainn in Irish, the river’s name refers to the goddess Sionna, whose name means “possessor of wisdom.” The name may also be related to the Irish sean abhainn, meaning “old river.” In Irish mythology, the river Shannon is said to be one of seven rivers of knowledge flowing from Connla’s Well, the well of wisdom in the Celtic otherworld. Shannon is also a surname, and has been used as a boy’s name in the US since 1881, gaining popularity for girls in 1937. If you have roots in one of the 11 Irish counties that this mystical river flows through, why not pay tribute by naming baby Shannen?