Shem
Every Shem since 1954 — 755 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Shem
Shem is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,147 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1954, 755 American babies have been named Shem. Its peak came in 1976, when 23 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
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 Shem stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Shem year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 10 | #8,147 |
| 2024 | — | — | 13 | #6,771 |
| 2023 | — | — | 12 | #7,234 |
| 2022 | — | — | 17 | #5,600 |
| 2021 | — | — | 13 | #6,617 |
| 2020 | — | — | 12 | #6,979 |
| 2019 | — | — | 16 | #5,761 |
| 2018 | — | — | 17 | #5,507 |
| 2017 | — | — | 16 | #5,743 |
| 2016 | — | — | 11 | #7,530 |
| 2015 | — | — | 17 | #5,480 |
| 2014 | — | — | 16 | #5,676 |
| 2013 | — | — | 16 | #5,614 |
| 2012 | — | — | 7 | #10,586 |
| 2011 | — | — | 7 | #10,599 |
| 2010 | — | — | 7 | #10,581 |
| 2009 | — | — | 10 | #8,206 |
| 2008 | — | — | 8 | #9,725 |
| 2007 | — | — | 13 | #6,550 |
| 2006 | — | — | 14 | #6,047 |
| 2005 | — | — | 15 | #5,534 |
| 2004 | — | — | 12 | #6,456 |
| 2003 | — | — | 11 | #6,653 |
| 2002 | — | — | 10 | #6,970 |
| 2001 | — | — | 6 | #10,359 |
| 2000 | — | — | 14 | #5,261 |
| 1995 | — | — | 13 | #4,744 |
| 1990 | — | — | 12 | #4,633 |
| 1985 | — | — | 8 | #5,075 |
| 1980 | — | — | 10 | #4,088 |
| 1975 | — | — | 13 | #3,056 |
| 1970 | 5 | #9,096 | 8 | #3,788 |
| 1965 | — | — | 6 | #3,867 |
| 1960 | — | — | 6 | #3,989 |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Shem in 2025?
Shem ranked #8,147 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Shem?
755 babies have been named Shem in the United States since 1954, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Shem most popular?
Shem peaked in 1976, when 23 newborns received the name.
Is Shem a boy or girl name?
Shem is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Shem rising or falling?
Shem is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.