Shaka
Every Shaka since 1970 — 839 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Shaka
Shaka is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #13,591 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1970, 839 American babies have been named Shaka — about 83% boys and 17% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1987, when 53 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
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 Shaka stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Shaka 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 | — | — | 5 | #13,591 |
| 2024 | — | — | 12 | #7,200 |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | 15 | #6,099 |
| 2021 | — | — | 14 | #6,291 |
| 2020 | — | — | 14 | #6,237 |
| 2019 | — | — | 9 | #8,755 |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | 11 | #7,465 |
| 2016 | — | — | 11 | #7,526 |
| 2015 | — | — | 5 | #13,724 |
| 2014 | — | — | 8 | #9,484 |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | 7 | #10,579 |
| 2011 | — | — | 9 | #8,654 |
| 2010 | — | — | 11 | #7,497 |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | 7 | #10,843 |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | 5 | #13,684 |
| 2005 | — | — | 5 | #13,041 |
| 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | 7 | #9,229 |
| 2001 | — | — | 5 | #12,024 |
| 2000 | — | — | 10 | #6,747 |
| 1995 | — | — | 15 | #4,238 |
| 1990 | 8 | #9,981 | 20 | #3,147 |
| 1985 | — | — | 7 | #5,672 |
| 1980 | 12 | #5,837 | 20 | #2,518 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8,814 | 18 | #2,438 |
| 1970 | — | — | 5 | #5,325 |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Shaka
- Shaka Politician · 1787–1828
- Shaka Hislop Soccer player · b. 1969
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Shaka in 2025?
Shaka ranked #13,591 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Shaka?
839 babies have been named Shaka in the United States since 1970, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Shaka most popular?
Shaka peaked in 1987, when 53 newborns received the name.
Is Shaka a boy or girl name?
Shaka is used for both: about 17% of babies named Shaka have been girls and 83% boys.
Is the name Shaka rising or falling?
Shaka is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Shaka?
Well-known people named Shaka include Shaka (politician), Shaka Hislop (soccer player).