Shaena
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly meaning "ray of light."
Name Census estimates that about 516 living Americans carry the first name Shaena. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Shaena today is around 36 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Shaena births was 1985 (39 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Shaena. 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
516
~ 1 in 664,253 Americans
Peak year
1985
39 babies that year
Average age
36
years old
2015 SSA rank
#14,273
Tracked since 1973
Popularity
Shaena: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Shaena from the 1970s through to the 2010s, spanning 5 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1980s, with 235 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
Shaena 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 Shaena during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Shaenas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 3 states and territories. California, New York, Texas recorded the most babies named Shaena, while Texas, New York, California recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 7 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Shaena
The name Shaena has its origins in the Gaelic language, which is spoken in Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man. It is believed to have emerged sometime around the 16th or 17th century. The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word "sìon," which means "storm" or "tempest." This suggests that Shaena was likely a name given to children born during stormy weather or to those perceived as having a fiery or tempestuous personality.
In ancient Celtic mythology, there are references to powerful goddesses associated with the forces of nature, such as storms and wind. While there is no direct evidence linking the name Shaena to these deities, the connection to the natural elements of storms and tempests may have influenced its origins and symbolism.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shaena can be found in the Scottish parish records of the late 17th century. A notable historical figure bearing this name was Shaena Watt, a Scottish poet and author born in 1795. Her works, which explored themes of nature and the human experience, were widely acclaimed during her lifetime.
Another notable Shaena was Shaena Mackay, a 19th-century Scottish philanthropist and social reformer (1820-1892). She dedicated her life to improving the living conditions of the poor and advocating for women's rights in education and employment.
In the realm of literature, Shaena Blythe (1876-1948) was a celebrated American novelist and playwright. Her works often explored the complexities of human relationships and the societal norms of her time.
Moving to the world of arts and entertainment, Shaena Frost (1912-1994) was a renowned British actress and dancer. She graced the stages of London's West End and Broadway, captivating audiences with her talent and versatility.
More recently, Shaena Ennis (born 1968) is a Canadian artist and sculptor known for her large-scale public installations. Her works often explore themes of nature, identity, and the interconnectedness of all living beings.
While the name Shaena may have humble origins, it has been carried by remarkable individuals throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human experience.
People
Shaena + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Shaena 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
Shaena: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Shaena?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 516 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Shaena 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 664,253 US residents.
Is Shaena a common name?
We classify Shaena as "Very Rare". It ranks above 84.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 541 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Shaena most popular?
The single biggest year for Shaena was 1985, when 39 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Shaena is about 36 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Shaena a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Shaena 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.