Shella: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

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	6	1	–	#2,187
1910s	14	1	+133%	#3,508
1920s	28	3	+100%	#3,956
1930s	43	4	+54%	#2,397
1940s	81	8	+88%	#2,610
1950s	241	24	+198%	#1,715
1960s	303	30	+26%	#1,850
1970s	205	21	-32%	#2,416
1980s	116	12	-43%	#3,717
1990s	69	7	-41%	#6,540
2000s	11	1	-84%	#15,060
2010s	6	1	-45%	#16,676
2020s (to 2025)	6	1	+67%	#15,020

Decade

Girls

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

#2,187

1910s

+133%

#3,508

1920s

+100%

#3,956

1930s

+54%

#2,397

1940s

+88%

#2,610

1950s

241

+198%

#1,715

1960s

303

+26%

#1,850

1970s

205

-32%

#2,416

1980s

116

-43%

#3,717

1990s

-41%

#6,540

2000s

-84%

#15,060

2010s

-45%

#16,676

2020s (to 2025)

+67%

#15,020

The story of Shella

Shella 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 1909, 1,129 American babies have been named Shella. Its peak came in 1959, when 42 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1950s.

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 Shella stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Shella?

The median living Shella is about 58 years old; half are between 48 and 66. An estimated 900 people named Shella 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.

Shella 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	6	#15,020
2023	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	–	–
2019	–	–
2018	–	–
2017	–	–
2016	–	–
2015	–	–
2014	–	–
2013	–	–
2012	–	–
2011	–	–
2010	6	#16,676
2009	–	–
2008	–	–
2007	–	–
2006	–	–
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	–	–
2001	6	#15,060
2000	5	#17,201
1995	5	#15,392
1990	8	#10,037
1985	11	#6,395
1980	13	#5,492
1975	23	#3,142
1970	23	#3,010
1965	29	#2,237
1960	38	#1,850
1955	13	#3,356
1950	21	#2,178
1945	–	–
1940	11	#2,707
1935	–	–
1930	5	#5,158
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Shella?

The median living Shella is about 58 years old. Half of all living Shellas are between 48 and 66 years old.

How many people named Shella are alive today?

An estimated 900 people named Shella are alive in the United States, based on 1,129 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Shella in 2025?

Shella 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 Shella?

1,129 babies have been named Shella in the United States since 1909, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Shella most popular?

Shella peaked in 1959, when 42 newborns received the name.

Is Shella a boy or girl name?

Shella is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Shella rising or falling?

Shella is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Shella

Shella popularity over time

The story of Shella

How old are people named Shella?

Shella year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Shella