Shem: 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	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	5	5	1	–	#4,294
1960s	–	36	36	4	+620%	#3,072
1970s	5	156	161	16	+347%	#2,103
1980s	–	123	123	12	-24%	#2,662
1990s	–	110	110	11	-11%	#3,792
2000s	–	113	113	11	+3%	#5,261
2010s	–	130	130	13	+15%	#5,480
2020s (to 2025)	–	77	77	13	-1%	#5,600

Decade

Girls

Boys

Total

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

1920s

–

1930s

–

1940s

–

1950s

–

#4,294

1960s

–

+620%

#3,072

1970s

156

161

+347%

#2,103

1980s

–

123

-24%

#2,662

1990s

–

110

-11%

#3,792

2000s

–

113

+3%

#5,261

2010s

–

130

+15%

#5,480

2020s (to 2025)

–

-1%

#5,600

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.

How old are people named Shem?

The median living Shem is about 30 years old; half are between 12 and 46. An estimated 700 people named Shem 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.

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

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

How old is the average Shem?

The median living Shem is about 30 years old. Half of all living Shems are between 12 and 46 years old.

How many people named Shem are alive today?

An estimated 700 people named Shem are alive in the United States, based on 755 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

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.

Shem

Shem popularity over time

The story of Shem

How old are people named Shem?

Shem year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Shem