Sheletta
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly a blend of "Sheila" and "Jeanette".
Name Census estimates that about 16 living Americans carry the first name Sheletta. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Sheletta today is around 54 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Sheletta births was 1970 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Sheletta. 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 Sheletta. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
16
~ 1 in 21,422,146 Americans
Peak year
1970
6 babies that year
Average age
54
years old
1974 SSA rank
#8,550
Tracked since 1970
Popularity
Sheletta: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Sheletta 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 Sheletta during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0 | 18 | 18 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Sheletta
The name Sheletta is believed to have its origins in the African language of Swahili. It is thought to be derived from the word "shela," which means "wealth" or "prosperity." This suggests that the name may have been given to children as a way of wishing them a prosperous and abundant life.
The earliest recorded use of the name Sheletta dates back to the late 19th century, when it began to appear in historical records and documents from East Africa, particularly in areas that were under British colonial rule at the time. It is possible that the name gained popularity among English-speaking communities in these regions, leading to its eventual spread to other parts of the world.
While the name Sheletta does not appear to have any direct references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its connection to the Swahili language and culture gives it a rich cultural heritage. The name's association with wealth and prosperity may have resonated with the values and beliefs of various African communities, contributing to its enduring popularity over time.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Sheletta was Sheletta Chapitone, a Tanzanian activist and educator who lived from 1892 to 1968. She was known for her work in promoting education and women's rights in her country.
Another notable figure was Sheletta Amos, an American singer and songwriter born in 1942. She was part of the Motown music scene and is best known for her hit single "You've Got a Friend" in the 1960s.
In the realm of literature, Sheletta Gupta was an Indian author and poet who lived from 1920 to 2003. Her works explored themes of identity, feminism, and social justice, earning her recognition as a prominent voice in contemporary Indian literature.
Sheletta Bakari was a Kenyan politician and women's rights advocate who served as a member of parliament from 1974 to 1988. She played a crucial role in advocating for gender equality and women's empowerment in her country.
Lastly, Sheletta Gillespie was an American artist and sculptor born in 1936. Her works, often focused on themes of African American culture and identity, have been featured in numerous exhibitions and museums across the United States.
These individuals, spanning different eras and fields, exemplify the diverse backgrounds and achievements associated with the name Sheletta, highlighting its rich cultural heritage and the remarkable individuals who have carried this name throughout history.
People
Sheletta + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Sheletta 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
Sheletta: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Sheletta?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 16 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Sheletta 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 21,422,146 US residents.
Is Sheletta a common name?
We classify Sheletta as "Very Rare". It ranks above 36.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 18 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Sheletta most popular?
The single biggest year for Sheletta was 1970, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Sheletta is about 54 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 Sheletta in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Sheletta a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Sheletta 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 Sheletta still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Sheletta 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 Sheletta 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 are called Sheletta?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.