Shama
Every Shama since 1968 — 451 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Shama
Shama is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1968, 451 American babies have been named Shama. Its peak came in 1979, when 18 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Shama stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Shama year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | 5 | #17,314 |
| 2023 | 9 | #11,044 |
| 2022 | 9 | #11,108 |
| 2021 | 5 | #17,316 |
| 2020 | 7 | #13,262 |
| 2019 | 5 | #17,611 |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | 7 | #14,129 |
| 2015 | 5 | #18,712 |
| 2014 | 10 | #10,828 |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | 5 | #19,125 |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | 7 | #14,724 |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | 13 | #9,406 |
| 2007 | 7 | #15,221 |
| 2006 | 5 | #19,563 |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | 8 | #12,565 |
| 2003 | 8 | #12,221 |
| 2002 | 13 | #8,210 |
| 2001 | 9 | #10,871 |
| 2000 | 6 | #14,706 |
| 1995 | 6 | #13,090 |
| 1990 | 16 | #5,782 |
| 1985 | 13 | #5,601 |
| 1980 | 10 | #6,676 |
| 1975 | 10 | #5,892 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Shama in 2025?
Shama did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Shama?
451 babies have been named Shama in the United States since 1968, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Shama most popular?
Shama peaked in 1979, when 18 newborns received the name.
Is Shama a boy or girl name?
Shama is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Shama rising or falling?
Shama has been roughly stable over the past decade.