Shaleah
A feminine name of uncertain origin, potentially related to "Shiloh".
Name Census estimates that about 491 living Americans carry the first name Shaleah. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Shaleah today is around 26 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Shaleah births was 2005 (26 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Shaleah. 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
491
~ 1 in 698,074 Americans
Peak year
2005
26 babies that year
Average age
26
years old
2020 SSA rank
#11,975
Tracked since 1979
Popularity
Shaleah: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Shaleah from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 186 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2000s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shaleah 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 Shaleah during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Shaleah
The name Shaleah is believed to have its origins in the Arabic language, although its exact etymology is uncertain. Some scholars suggest it may be derived from the Arabic root word "shali," which means "to be high" or "elevated," while others propose a connection to the Hebrew word "shalom," meaning "peace."
In the Middle Ages, variations of the name, such as "Shaliah" and "Shaliyah," were found in certain regions of the Middle East, particularly among Arab and Jewish communities. These early forms of the name were often associated with concepts of spiritual elevation, serenity, and divine grace.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shaleah can be traced back to the 12th century, when a Jewish scholar and poet named Shaleah ben Avraham lived in Andalusia, Spain. His works, which explored themes of mysticism and devotion, helped to popularize the name within certain circles.
In the 16th century, an influential Islamic scholar and jurist from Egypt, known as Shaleah al-Misri, gained recognition for his contributions to the study of Islamic law and jurisprudence. His writings and teachings helped to further disseminate the name across the region.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Shaleah. In the 18th century, Shaleah al-Baghdadi was a renowned calligrapher and artist from Baghdad, whose intricate works adorned the walls of mosques and palaces across the Middle East.
In the 19th century, Shaleah al-Khalidi was a Palestinian scholar and historian who authored several important works on the history and culture of the region. His meticulous research and documentation helped preserve valuable knowledge for future generations.
Another noteworthy figure was Shaleah al-Ahmadi, a 20th-century Yemeni poet and writer whose poignant verses captured the struggles and aspirations of her people. Her literary contributions have left a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of Yemen.
While the name Shaleah may have ancient roots and historical significance, its contemporary usage and popularity vary across different regions and cultures. However, its enduring presence throughout the centuries serves as a testament to the richness and diversity of human naming traditions.
People
Shaleah + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Shaleah 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
Shaleah: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Shaleah?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 491 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Shaleah 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 698,074 US residents.
Is Shaleah a common name?
We classify Shaleah as "Very Rare". It ranks above 84.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 504 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Shaleah most popular?
The single biggest year for Shaleah was 2005, when 26 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Shaleah is about 26 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Shaleah a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Shaleah 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.