Shelah
Every Shelah since 1935 — 510 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Shelah
Shelah 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 1935, 510 American babies have been named Shelah. Its peak came in 1974, when 15 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 Shelah stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Shelah 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 | 5 | #20,030 |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | 8 | #10,035 |
| 1985 | 5 | #12,199 |
| 1980 | 9 | #7,307 |
| 1975 | 12 | #5,111 |
| 1970 | 10 | #5,344 |
| 1965 | 12 | #3,919 |
| 1960 | 12 | #3,886 |
| 1955 | 13 | #3,354 |
| 1950 | 8 | #4,262 |
| 1945 | 6 | #4,478 |
| 1940 | 7 | #3,813 |
| 1935 | 5 | #4,807 |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Shelah in 2025?
Shelah 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 Shelah?
510 babies have been named Shelah in the United States since 1935, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Shelah most popular?
Shelah peaked in 1974, when 15 newborns received the name.
Is Shelah a boy or girl name?
Shelah is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Shelah rising or falling?
Shelah has been roughly stable over the past decade.