Shella
Every Shella since 1909 — 1,129 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
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.
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
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.