Find out how popular the first name Shemeka has been for the last 30 years (from 1974 to 2003) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Shemeka by gender

Based on the last 30 years of data, Shemeka is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2003, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Shemeka.

The history of the first name Shemeka

The name Shemeka has its origins in the African American community, and it is believed to have emerged as a variant of the name Shemika, which itself is a combination of the Hebrew name Shemuel and the Greek name Michaelis. The earliest recorded use of the name Shemeka dates back to the mid-20th century.

While the precise etymology of the name Shemeka is not entirely clear, it is thought to have been derived from the Hebrew name Shemuel, which means "name of God" or "God has heard." The name Shemuel was popular in ancient Israel and is found in the Hebrew Bible, where it was borne by the prophet Samuel.

The addition of the "-ka" suffix to the name Shemeka is believed to have been influenced by African naming traditions, where suffixes are often added to names to create new, unique variants. This practice was common among African American communities, as it allowed for the creation of distinctively African American names that reflected their cultural identity.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shemeka can be found in the 1970s, when it started gaining popularity among African American families. Some notable individuals named Shemeka throughout history include Shemeka Campbell, an American singer and songwriter born in 1977, and Shemeka Benton, an American basketball player born in 1981.

Other notable individuals with the name Shemeka include Shemeka Millner, an American track and field athlete who competed in the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics, and Shemeka Elleby, an American basketball player who played professionally in the WNBA and overseas.

While the name Shemeka is not as widely known as some other African American names, it holds a special significance within the community as a reflection of their cultural heritage and the blending of various linguistic influences.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Shemeka was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Shemeka, please contact us.

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