Shaima first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Shaima has been for the last 33 years (from 1991 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Shaima

An Arabic feminine name meaning "elevated" or "lofty".

Popularity of Shaima by gender

Based on the last 33 years of data, Shaima is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 10 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Shaima.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 10
2022 0 9
2021 0 11
2020 0 7
2019 0 10
2018 0 9
2017 0 14
2016 0 17
2015 0 16
2014 0 11
2013 0 10
2012 0 5
2011 0 8
2010 0 11
2009 0 8
2008 0 13
2007 0 13
2006 0 10
2005 0 7
2004 0 11
2003 0 10
2002 0 8
2001 0 9
2000 0 6
1998 0 9
1997 0 8
1992 0 5
1991 0 6

The history of the first name Shaima

The name Shaima has its roots in the Arabic language and culture. It is believed to have originated in the Middle East, specifically in the regions that are now known as the Arab world, sometime during the medieval period.

The name Shaima is derived from the Arabic word "shama," which means "candle" or "light." This association with light and illumination has given the name a positive and radiant connotation in Arabic culture.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shaima can be found in ancient Arabic literature and poetry. It was often used as a metaphor to describe a person's beauty or inner light, likening them to a shining candle or a guiding star.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Shaima. One of the earliest was Shaima bint Al-Harith (born in the 7th century AD), a poetess and scholar who lived during the early Islamic era and was renowned for her eloquence and wisdom.

Another prominent Shaima was Shaima Al-Andalusiyya (born in the 11th century AD), a renowned musician and singer from the Andalusian region of Spain during the Golden Age of Islamic culture. Her beautiful voice and mastery of various musical instruments made her a celebrated figure in the courts of the time.

In the 13th century, Shaima Al-Baghdadiyya (born in Baghdad, Iraq) was a respected scholar and philosopher who contributed to the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and logic. Her works were widely studied and influential in the intellectual circles of the era.

Moving forward, in the 19th century, Shaima Al-Sudani (born in Sudan) was a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights. She established several schools for girls and fought tirelessly for equal educational opportunities in her homeland.

More recently, Shaima Rezayee (born in Afghanistan in 1988) is a prominent activist and advocate for women's rights and education. She has been recognized for her efforts in promoting literacy and empowering girls and women in her country, despite facing numerous challenges and threats.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have carried the name Shaima, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich cultural heritage associated with this name.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Shaima was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Shaima, please contact us.

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"Shaima first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 17, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/shaima-meaning-and-history/.

"Shaima first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/shaima-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 17 June, 2025

Shaima first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/shaima-meaning-and-history/.

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