Shahn

Shahn is a surname and, less commonly, a given name. In English-language contexts it is most often encountered as a surname. The precise origin of the name is not definitively established; it may be an Anglicized form of names from Persian or other languages, or it may have developed independently within immigrant or Jewish communities. It is distinct from, but sometimes confused with, related names such as Shah, Shahin, and Shahan due to phonetic similarity.

Notable people with the surname include Ben Shahn (1898–1969), a Lithuanian-born American artist and photographer known for his socially conscious work in painting, photography, and mural projects. His art is associated with social realism and often addresses themes of labor rights, civil liberties, and human justice.

Geographically, the name Shahn is relatively uncommon and is most frequently found in the United States, with occasional occurrences elsewhere in the English-speaking world. As with many surnames of uncertain origin, individual family histories may vary, and some bearers may have different ancestral backgrounds that contributed to the adoption or transmission of the name.

See also

Shah, Shahin, Shahan. These related names can reflect different linguistic roots or transliteration choices and may appear in similar or overlapping contexts.