Shiela: 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	7	1	–	#1,830
1910s	5	1	-29%	#4,863
1920s	50	5	+900%	#2,718
1930s	160	16	+220%	#1,373
1940s	535	54	+234%	#1,000
1950s	940	94	+76%	#916
1960s	1,355	136	+44%	#824
1970s	906	91	-33%	#714
1980s	300	30	-67%	#2,178
1990s	135	14	-55%	#4,189
2000s	15	2	-89%	#11,897
2010s	–	–	–	–
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–

Decade

Girls

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

#1,830

1910s

-29%

#4,863

1920s

+900%

#2,718

1930s

160

+220%

#1,373

1940s

535

+234%

#1,000

1950s

940

+76%

#916

1960s

1,355

136

+44%

#824

1970s

906

-33%

#714

1980s

300

-67%

#2,178

1990s

135

-55%

#4,189

2000s

-89%

#11,897

2010s

–

2020s (to 2025)

–

The story of Shiela

Shiela 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 1908, 4,408 American babies have been named Shiela. Its peak came in 1970, when 216 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 Shiela stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Shiela?

The median living Shiela is about 60 years old; half are between 53 and 68. An estimated 3,700 people named Shiela 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.

Shiela 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	–	–
2014	–	–
2013	–	–
2012	–	–
2011	–	–
2010	–	–
2009	–	–
2008	–	–
2007	–	–
2006	–	–
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	–	–
2001	8	#11,897
2000	7	#12,943
1995	8	#10,382
1990	22	#4,503
1985	37	#2,646
1980	39	#2,480
1975	53	#1,773
1970	216	#714
1965	146	#824
1960	126	#953
1955	81	#1,110
1950	75	#1,070
1945	56	#1,045
1940	25	#1,585
1935	23	#1,601
1930	12	#2,669
1925	5	#5,671
1920	6	#4,898
1915	5	#4,863
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Shiela?

The median living Shiela is about 60 years old. Half of all living Shielas are between 53 and 68 years old.

How many people named Shiela are alive today?

An estimated 3,700 people named Shiela are alive in the United States, based on 4,408 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Shiela in 2025?

Shiela 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 Shiela?

4,408 babies have been named Shiela in the United States since 1908, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Shiela most popular?

Shiela peaked in 1970, when 216 newborns received the name.

Is Shiela a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Shiela rising or falling?

Shiela has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Shiela

Shiela popularity over time

The story of Shiela

How old are people named Shiela?

Shiela year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Shiela