Sheela
Every Sheela since 1943 — 679 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Sheela
Sheela 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 1943, 679 American babies have been named Sheela. Its peak came in 1988, when 27 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 Sheela stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Sheela 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 | 5 | #18,733 |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | 5 | #20,109 |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | 6 | #15,472 |
| 2002 | 5 | #17,704 |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | 9 | #9,433 |
| 1990 | 15 | #6,094 |
| 1985 | 21 | #3,965 |
| 1980 | 15 | #4,941 |
| 1975 | 17 | #3,915 |
| 1970 | 14 | #4,217 |
| 1965 | 19 | #2,914 |
| 1960 | 9 | #4,723 |
| 1955 | 5 | #6,571 |
| 1950 | 7 | #4,675 |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Sheela in 2025?
Sheela 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 Sheela?
679 babies have been named Sheela in the United States since 1943, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Sheela most popular?
Sheela peaked in 1988, when 27 newborns received the name.
Is Sheela a boy or girl name?
Sheela is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Sheela rising or falling?
Sheela is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.