Shirin is of Persian origin, meaning 'sweet' or 'cinnamon'. It's a traditional name among Iranians and other Persian-speaking communities, popular for both boys and girls due to its unisex nature. The name gained global recognition through Shirin Neshat's acclaimed photography and video art, which often explores themes of gender and identity.
It appears Shirin has been a popular name for newborns since the mid-20th century, with its popularity surging significantly from the late 1970s onwards. The highest number of births recorded was in 1985 with 27 occurrences, and the most recent peak was in 2018 with 19 births. However, there seems to be a decline in popularity in more recent years, with only 5 births recorded in 2021 and 2023 respectively. Overall, from 1938 to 2023, the name Shirin has been given to 774 newborns.