Shodan

Shodan Origin and Meaning

The name Shodan is a girl's name.

Shodan is a feminine name with Japanese origins, though it has multiple cultural references. In Japanese martial arts, "shodan" represents the first-degree black belt, symbolizing the beginning of true mastery. The name can be written with different kanji combinations, potentially meaning "first step," "beginning level," or "first rank." While uncommon as a personal name in Japan itself, it has gained some international recognition through its appearance in popular culture, notably as an artificial intelligence character in the System Shock video game series. The name carries connotations of achievement, new beginnings, and the start of expertise in a discipline.