Baby Names US
girls' name ★ peaked 1988

Sheela

Gender Girl Rank 2025 Below top lists
Rank 2025
–
among girls
Babies in 2025
<5
named Sheela
How common
–
girls born in 2025
Peak year
1988
27 babies
All-time total
679
#9,699 all-time among girls
First recorded
1943
in Social Security records

Sheela popularity over time

679 babies have been named Sheela since 1943, 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
0.010.010.020.0218801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1986Girls

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 Per year Change Best rank
1880s – – – –
1890s – – – –
1900s – – – –
1910s – – – –
1920s – – – –
1930s – – – –
1940s 43 4 – #3,190
1950s 105 11 +144% #2,744
1960s 115 12 +10% #2,914
1970s 138 14 +20% #3,454
1980s 183 18 +33% #3,537
1990s 74 7 -60% #6,094
2000s 16 2 -78% #15,472
2010s 5 1 -69% #18,733
2020s (to 2025) – – – –

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.

How old are people named Sheela?

The median living Sheela is about 48 years old; half are between 39 and 61. An estimated 600 people named Sheela are alive in the United States today.

median 48 020406080100

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

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

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

How old is the average Sheela?

The median living Sheela is about 48 years old. Half of all living Sheelas are between 39 and 61 years old.

How many people named Sheela are alive today?

An estimated 600 people named Sheela are alive in the United States, based on 679 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

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.

Names like Sheela

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

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