Shametra
A feminine name of American origin meaning unknown.
Name Census estimates that about 96 living Americans carry the first name Shametra. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Shametra today is around 43 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Shametra births was 1979 (14 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Shametra. 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.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Shametra. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
96
~ 1 in 3,570,358 Americans
Peak year
1979
14 babies that year
Average age
43
years old
1994 SSA rank
#15,333
Tracked since 1976
Popularity
Shametra: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Shametra 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 56 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1980s peak, Shametra remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shametra 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 Shametra 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 Shametra
The name Shametra has its origins in the Yoruba language, spoken by the Yoruba people of West Africa, primarily in Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged during the 15th century or earlier, as the Yoruba culture flourished in the region.
Shametra is a combination of two Yoruba words: "Sha," meaning "to walk," and "metra," which translates to "look." Together, the name can be interpreted as "one who walks with grace" or "one who carries themselves with a dignified gaze." This name likely held significance within the Yoruba community, reflecting the importance placed on poise and comportment.
While there are no known historical references to the name Shametra in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is a name deeply rooted in the rich cultural traditions of the Yoruba people. The earliest recorded examples of the name are found in oral histories and family records passed down through generations within the Yoruba communities.
One notable figure bearing the name Shametra was Shametra Ogunleye, a influential Yoruba artist and sculptor who lived in the late 18th century. Her intricate wood carvings and sculptures were renowned for their beauty and attention to detail, capturing the essence of Yoruba culture and traditions.
Another significant individual with the name Shametra was Shametra Adewale, a revered Yoruba storyteller and oral historian from the 19th century. She played a crucial role in preserving and passing down the rich folklore and cultural narratives of the Yoruba people, ensuring their traditions were kept alive for future generations.
In the 20th century, Shametra Akinloye was a prominent Yoruba educator and advocate for women's rights. She dedicated her life to empowering young girls and women through education, helping to break down societal barriers and promote gender equality within the Yoruba community.
Shametra Olatunji was a celebrated Yoruba musician and dancer who gained international recognition in the latter half of the 20th century. Her captivating performances and dedication to preserving traditional Yoruba music and dance forms inspired countless others and helped to introduce these rich cultural expressions to a global audience.
Lastly, Shametra Ogunlesi was a Yoruba fashion designer and entrepreneur who rose to prominence in the late 20th century. Her innovative designs seamlessly blended traditional Yoruba aesthetics with contemporary styles, creating a unique and celebrated fusion that celebrated her cultural heritage while pushing creative boundaries.
People
Shametra + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Shametra 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
Shametra: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Shametra?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 96 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Shametra 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 3,570,358 US residents.
Is Shametra a common name?
We classify Shametra as "Very Rare". It ranks above 64% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 102 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Shametra most popular?
The single biggest year for Shametra was 1979, when 14 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Shametra is about 43 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 Shametra in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Shametra a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Shametra 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.
Is Shametra still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Shametra 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 Shametra 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 Shametra as a first name?
For a quick modern take, check how many Americans are named Shametra on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org.