Shi
Every Shi since 1974 — 412 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Shi
Shi 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 1974, 412 American babies have been named Shi — about 81% girls and 19% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2001, when 28 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
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 Shi stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Shi year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | 6 | #15,056 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | 5 | #17,163 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | 7 | #13,901 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | 11 | #7,442 |
| 2014 | 9 | #11,814 | 5 | #13,751 |
| 2013 | — | — | 6 | #11,936 |
| 2012 | 6 | #16,560 | — | — |
| 2011 | 7 | #14,629 | — | — |
| 2010 | 11 | #10,369 | — | — |
| 2009 | 8 | #13,511 | — | — |
| 2008 | 8 | #13,634 | 6 | #12,321 |
| 2007 | 12 | #10,055 | 7 | #10,725 |
| 2006 | 9 | #12,282 | — | — |
| 2005 | 8 | #12,845 | — | — |
| 2004 | 16 | #7,344 | 5 | #12,942 |
| 2003 | 9 | #11,200 | — | — |
| 2002 | 13 | #8,220 | 5 | #12,224 |
| 2001 | 19 | #6,034 | 9 | #7,425 |
| 2000 | 13 | #7,970 | — | — |
| 1995 | 13 | #6,981 | 9 | #6,336 |
| 1990 | 6 | #12,712 | 5 | #9,303 |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | 7 | #8,935 | 5 | #7,147 |
| 1975 | 11 | #5,452 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Shi
- Shi Nai'an Writer · 1296–1372
- Shi Pei Pu Singer · 1938–2009
- Shi Le Politician · 274–333
- Shi Lang Politician · 1621–1696
- Shi Zhengli Biologist · b. 1964
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Shi in 2025?
Shi 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 Shi?
412 babies have been named Shi in the United States since 1974, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Shi most popular?
Shi peaked in 2001, when 28 newborns received the name.
Is Shi a boy or girl name?
Shi is used for both: about 81% of babies named Shi have been girls and 19% boys.
Is the name Shi rising or falling?
Shi is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Shi?
Well-known people named Shi include Shi Nai'an (writer), Shi Pei Pu (singer), Shi Le (politician).