Shant

Shant is a term that can refer to several distinct concepts in English and other languages. In English-language folk and maritime lore, shant or shanty denotes a sea shanty, a type of work song historically sung by sailors to coordinate tasks aboard sailing vessels. The form is characterized by a strong rhythm and call-and-response structure; in modern usage, "shanty" is the standard spelling, while "shant" is occasionally used informally as a shortened variant in discussions about the genre.

In South Asian languages, shant is a transliteration of the word शांत, meaning peaceful or calm. As an adjective it describes a state of quiet, serenity, or lack of disturbance. In personal names and phrases, this root appears in related forms such as Shanti or Shant, and may be used in different scripts and languages.

As a proper noun, "Shant" may appear as a given name or surname in some communities, often derived from longer names or as a standalone form in diaspora settings. It is relatively uncommon and can be encountered in biographical or genealogical contexts, sometimes overlapping with similar names like Shanti or Shanthi.

Shant should not be confused with "Shanty" or "chanty"—the standard English terms for sea songs—though colloquial use may blur these forms in casual writing or speech. See also Shanti, Shanthi, and Shantaram for related linguistic and onomastic connections.