Shabana
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "fragrant jasmine flower".
Name Census estimates that about 151 living Americans carry the first name Shabana. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Shabana today is around 38 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Shabana births was 1985 (10 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Shabana. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
151
~ 1 in 2,269,896 Americans
Peak year
1985
10 babies that year
Average age
38
years old
2002 SSA rank
#17,637
Tracked since 1975
Popularity
Shabana: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Shabana from the 1970s through to the 2000s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1980s, with 64 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1980s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shabana by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Shabana during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Shabanas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Shabana
The name Shabana is of Arabic origin, derived from the word "shab," meaning "youth" or "prime of life." Its roots can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when it was prevalent among the Arab communities of the Middle East and North Africa.
In the early Islamic era, the name Shabana was often associated with beauty, grace, and youthful vigor. It was a popular choice for girls born into affluent families, as it symbolized the hope for a vibrant and prosperous life.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Shabana can be found in the writings of the renowned Arab poet Al-Mutanabbi, who lived during the 10th century. In his poetry, he often praised the beauty and charm of women bearing this name, cementing its association with feminine allure.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Shabana. One of the most famous was Shabana Azmi, an acclaimed Indian actress and activist born in 1950. Known for her powerful performances and social advocacy, she has been a prominent figure in the Indian film industry for over five decades.
Another prominent Shabana was Shabana Mahmood, a British politician born in 1981. She served as a Member of Parliament for Birmingham Ladywood and held various positions within the Labour Party, including Shadow Minister for International Development.
In the literary world, Shabana Azmi, an Indian writer and journalist born in 1947, gained recognition for her work on women's rights and social issues. Her memoir, "Thehri Lakeer" (The Straight Line), provided insights into her life and struggles as a woman in modern India.
The name Shabana also has a rich cultural heritage in the Middle East. Shabana Al-Sayed, an Egyptian singer and actress born in 1943, was a renowned figure in the Arab entertainment industry. Her captivating voice and performances earned her widespread acclaim throughout the region.
Another notable figure was Shabana Mahmoud, an Egyptian feminist and activist born in 1936. She played a crucial role in advocating for women's rights and gender equality in her home country, leaving a lasting impact on the feminist movement in the Arab world.
While the name Shabana has its roots in Arabic culture, it has transcended borders and gained popularity in various parts of the world, becoming a symbol of grace, beauty, and strength for generations of women.
Notable bearers
Famous people named Shabana
People
Shabana + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Shabana as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with S
Other first names starting with S with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Shabana: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Shabana?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 151 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Shabana going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 2,269,896 US residents.
Is Shabana a common name?
We classify Shabana as "Very Rare". It ranks above 70.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 159 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Shabana most popular?
The single biggest year for Shabana was 1985, when 10 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Shabana is about 38 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Shabana a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Shabana in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.