Shala
Every Shala since 1947 — 2,061 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Shala
Shala 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 1947, 2,061 American babies have been named Shala. Its peak came in 1991, when 89 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
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 Shala stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Shala 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 | 6 | #16,540 |
| 2011 | 10 | #11,071 |
| 2010 | 5 | #19,390 |
| 2009 | 10 | #11,342 |
| 2008 | 12 | #9,983 |
| 2007 | 15 | #8,457 |
| 2006 | 20 | #6,566 |
| 2005 | 12 | #9,361 |
| 2004 | 21 | #5,937 |
| 2003 | 13 | #8,409 |
| 2002 | 22 | #5,417 |
| 2001 | 33 | #3,926 |
| 2000 | 35 | #3,718 |
| 1995 | 52 | #2,478 |
| 1990 | 75 | #1,888 |
| 1985 | 80 | #1,534 |
| 1980 | 69 | #1,672 |
| 1975 | 48 | #1,899 |
| 1970 | 15 | #4,007 |
| 1965 | 13 | #3,700 |
| 1960 | 5 | #7,136 |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Shala in 2025?
Shala 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 Shala?
2,061 babies have been named Shala in the United States since 1947, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Shala most popular?
Shala peaked in 1991, when 89 newborns received the name.
Is Shala a boy or girl name?
Shala is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Shala rising or falling?
Shala has been roughly stable over the past decade.