Shaka: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#13,591

among boys · ↓6,391 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Shaka

How common

1 in 341,615

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1987

53 babies

All-time total

839

#6,458 all-time among boys

First recorded

1970

in Social Security records

Shaka popularity over time

839 babies have been named Shaka since 1970, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

BoysGirls

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1960s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1970s	45	170	215	22	–	#1,539
1980s	78	181	259	26	+20%	#1,731
1990s	19	176	195	20	-25%	#2,811
2000s	–	39	39	4	-80%	#6,747
2010s	–	71	71	7	+82%	#7,465
2020s (to 2025)	–	60	60	10	+41%	#6,099

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.

How old are people named Shaka?

The median living Shaka is about 37 years old; half are between 28 and 45. An estimated 800 people named Shaka are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

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

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Shaka Zulu king from 1816 to 1828 1787–1828 · 18th century
2 Shaka Hislop Trinidad and Tobago footballer (born 1969) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Shaka, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Shaka?

The median living Shaka is about 37 years old. Half of all living Shakas are between 28 and 45 years old.

How many people named Shaka are alive today?

An estimated 800 people named Shaka are alive in the United States, based on 839 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

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).

Names like Shaka

Names that sound and feel close to Shaka: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Shaka with similar names → More names starting with S →