Shelda
Every Shelda since 1935 — 569 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Shelda
Shelda 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, 569 American babies have been named Shelda. Its peak came in 1941, when 27 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.
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 Shelda stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Shelda 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 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | 6 | #10,167 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8,857 |
| 1970 | 11 | #5,011 |
| 1965 | 20 | #2,813 |
| 1960 | 20 | #2,807 |
| 1955 | 13 | #3,355 |
| 1950 | 10 | #3,636 |
| 1945 | 11 | #2,893 |
| 1940 | 13 | #2,396 |
| 1935 | 11 | #2,708 |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Shelda in 2025?
Shelda 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 Shelda?
569 babies have been named Shelda in the United States since 1935, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Shelda most popular?
Shelda peaked in 1941, when 27 newborns received the name.
Is Shelda a boy or girl name?
Shelda is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Shelda rising or falling?
Shelda has been roughly stable over the past decade.