Compare Names
Search for up to 4 names to compare side by side, or browse a curated comparison below.
- Shane
- Tadhg
| Field | Shane | Tadhg |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | An Anglicized form of Seán, ultimately from Hebrew elements meaning 'Yahweh' and 'gracious' — the same root tradition as John. Popularised in America by the 1953 western film Shane. | Traditionally interpreted as 'poet'. |
| Origin | Hebrew, via Irish Seán | Irish |
| Pronunciation | /ˈʃeɪn/ | /ˈtˠəiɡ/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Seán, Sean, Shaun, Shawn | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #152 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #8 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | 90/100 |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 94/100 | 94/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | high | medium |
What the data shows
- Shane is recorded with a Hebrew, via Irish Seán origin, while Tadhg is recorded with a Irish origin.
- Shane has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Tadhg.
- Shane's recorded meaning differs from Tadhg's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE.
- The available evidence gives Shane a "high" Data Confidence level and Tadhg a "medium" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.
Name rivalries — pairs whose positions genuinely passed each other →
Curated comparisons
Two of the UK's most enduringly popular girls' names, both with a soft, flowing sound and a similar era of peak popularity — the choice usually comes down to origin story and nickname preference.
Both are currently the most-used boys' names in several English-speaking countries. Oliver leans slightly more classic/literary; Noah is shorter and more globally portable.
Both short, currently-fashionable UK names — Freya carries Norse mythological weight, while Isla is a Scottish place name that reads as slightly softer and more understated.
Both carry regal, 'strength'-adjacent meanings and centuries of royal usage — Alexander is the more internationally familiar choice, Magnus the more distinctive.