Shalev
A masculine Hebrew name meaning "tranquil" or "calm".
Name Census estimates that about 126 living Americans carry the first name Shalev. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Shalev today is around 12 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Shalev births was 2019 (13 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Shalev. 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
126
~ 1 in 2,720,273 Americans
Peak year
2019
13 babies that year
Average age
12
years old
2024 SSA rank
#13,870
Tracked since 2002
Popularity
Shalev: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Shalev from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 78 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Shalev remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shalev 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 Shalev 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 Shalev
The given name Shalev originates from the Hebrew language and culture. It is a modern Hebrew name that emerged in the 20th century, derived from the Hebrew word "shalev" meaning "serenity" or "tranquility."
While the name itself is relatively new, its roots can be traced back to ancient Hebrew texts and scriptures. The concept of serenity and peace is deeply embedded in the Hebrew tradition, often associated with spiritual enlightenment and harmony with nature.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shalev can be found in the writings of the Israeli author and poet Yehuda Amichai, who was born in 1924. Amichai's works often explored themes of peace and tranquility, making the name Shalev a fitting choice for his time.
Another notable figure bearing the name Shalev was the Israeli businessman and philanthropist Shalev Hurio, who lived from 1929 to 2015. Hurio was a prominent figure in the Israeli business community and was known for his charitable work, embodying the spirit of serenity and compassion.
In the realm of sports, Shalev Huzizen, an Israeli basketball player born in 1988, gained recognition for his skills on the court. His name, a symbol of tranquility, contrasted with the intensity and determination required in his profession.
Shalev Kafri, an Israeli musician and composer born in 1972, has also contributed to the cultural landscape with his soulful melodies and introspective lyrics, reflecting the serene nature of his name.
Lastly, Shalev Menashe, an Israeli historian and author born in 1947, has dedicated his life to uncovering and preserving historical narratives, shedding light on the past with a sense of calm and objectivity befitting his name.
These individuals, spanning various fields and time periods, have carried the name Shalev with grace, embodying the essence of serenity and tranquility that the name represents in the Hebrew tradition.
People
Shalev + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Shalev 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
Shalev: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Shalev?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 126 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Shalev 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 2,720,273 US residents.
Is Shalev a common name?
We classify Shalev as "Very Rare". It ranks above 67.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 127 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Shalev most popular?
The single biggest year for Shalev was 2019, when 13 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Shalev is about 12 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Shalev in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Shalev a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Shalev in the SSA data are male. 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.
Is Shalev still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Shalev in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Shalev can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
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.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have Shalev as a first name?
For a quick modern take, check how many people share the name Shalev on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org.