Shamaine
A feminine name derived from the Hebrew name "Shammah," meaning "God is there."
Name Census estimates that about 189 living Americans carry the first name Shamaine. It is a predominantly female name (97.5% of registrations). The average person named Shamaine today is around 42 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Shamaine births was 1982 (17 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Shamaine. 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
189
~ 1 in 1,813,515 Americans
Peak year
1982
17 babies that year
Average age
42
years old
1982 SSA rank
#7,200
Tracked since 1970
Gender
Gender distribution for Shamaine
Shamaine leans heavily female at 97.5% of total registrations, but 5 boys have also been registered with the name over the years, giving it a small but present crossover presence.
Shamaine as a male name
- Ranked #7,200 in 1982
- 5 male births in 1982
- Peak: 1982 (5 births)
Shamaine as a female name
- Ranked #12,192 in 1998
- 7 female births in 1998
- Peak: 1982 (12 births)
Popularity
Shamaine: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Shamaine from the 1970s through to the 1990s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1980s, with 84 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1980s peak, Shamaine remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shamaine 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 Shamaine during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Shamaines live
Origin
Meaning and history of Shamaine
The given name Shamaine is believed to have originated from the Irish Gaelic language, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Gaelic word "seamhán," which means "gracious" or "gentle." The name was particularly prevalent in Ireland and Scotland during the Middle Ages.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shamaine can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, an ancient Irish chronicle compiled in the 17th century. The annals mention a woman named Shamaine Ní Dhomhnaill, who lived in the late 15th century and was known for her charitable works and gentle demeanor.
In the 16th century, a prominent figure named Shamaine O'Donnell played a crucial role in the Irish Confederate Wars, serving as a trusted advisor to the Irish chieftains fighting against English rule. Her strategic counsel and diplomacy were highly regarded during those tumultuous times.
Another notable bearer of the name was Shamaine McGuinness, a Scottish noblewoman from the 17th century. She was renowned for her philanthropic efforts and her dedication to improving the lives of the poor and underprivileged in her community.
In the 19th century, Shamaine Fitzgerald, an Irish poet and writer, gained recognition for her poignant works that captured the essence of Irish culture and heritage. Her poems were widely published and celebrated during her lifetime.
More recently, Shamaine Byrne, an Irish actress born in 1938, made a name for herself on the stage and screen. She was particularly acclaimed for her performances in several Irish and British productions, showcasing her talent and versatility as an artist.
While the name Shamaine has its roots in ancient Irish and Scottish cultures, it has transcended geographical boundaries and gained popularity across various regions over the centuries. The name's association with grace, gentleness, and a charitable spirit has undoubtedly contributed to its enduring appeal.
People
Shamaine + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Shamaine 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
Shamaine: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Shamaine?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 189 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Shamaine 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 1,813,515 US residents.
Is Shamaine a common name?
We classify Shamaine as "Very Rare". It ranks above 73.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 202 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Shamaine most popular?
The single biggest year for Shamaine was 1982, when 17 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Shamaine is about 42 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Shamaine a female name?
Yes, 97.5% of people registered as Shamaine 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.