Shelagh
Ultimately an Anglicization of Irish Síle.
Every Shelagh since 1942 — 510 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Shelagh
Shelagh 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 1942, 510 American babies have been named Shelagh. Its peak came in 1950, when 22 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
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 Shelagh stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Shelagh 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 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | 10 | #8,409 |
| 1985 | 8 | #8,193 |
| 1980 | 6 | #10,165 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | 8 | #6,267 |
| 1965 | 16 | #3,241 |
| 1960 | 9 | #4,724 |
| 1955 | 15 | #3,077 |
| 1950 | 22 | #2,115 |
| 1945 | 6 | #4,477 |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Shelagh mean?
Ultimately an Anglicization of Irish Síle.
How popular is the name Shelagh in 2025?
Shelagh 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 Shelagh?
510 babies have been named Shelagh in the United States since 1942, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Shelagh most popular?
Shelagh peaked in 1950, when 22 newborns received the name.
Is Shelagh a boy or girl name?
Shelagh is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Shelagh rising or falling?
Shelagh has been roughly stable over the past decade.