Shemika
A feminine name of uncertain origin and meaning, possibly derived from the Hebrew "shemot".
Name Census estimates that about 1,356 living Americans carry the first name Shemika. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Shemika today is around 44 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Shemika births was 1980 (127 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Shemika. 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
1.4K
~ 1 in 252,769 Americans
Peak year
1980
127 babies that year
Average age
44
years old
1997 SSA rank
#11,904
Tracked since 1971
Popularity
Shemika: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Shemika 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 799 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1980s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shemika 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 Shemika during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Shemikas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 15 states and territories. Texas, Louisiana, Georgia recorded the most babies named Shemika, while Ohio, Arkansas, Michigan recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 50 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Shemika
The name Shemika has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is believed to be a combination of the Hebrew words "shemah," meaning "to hear," and "kah," a Hebrew word for "lively" or "vivacious."
The earliest recorded use of the name Shemika can be traced back to the biblical era, where it was mentioned in several ancient texts and religious scriptures. However, the name's exact origins and meanings have been subject to various interpretations over the centuries.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shemika can be found in the Book of Judges, which is part of the Hebrew Bible. In this text, the name appears as a reference to a woman who played a significant role in the story of the Israelites.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Shemika. One of the most prominent figures was Shemika ben Avraham, a 12th-century Jewish scholar and philosopher who made significant contributions to the study of Talmudic literature.
In the 16th century, Shemika al-Andalusi was a renowned Arabic poet and literary figure from the Iberian Peninsula. Her works were widely celebrated and influenced the development of Arabic literature during the Golden Age of Islamic culture.
During the 18th century, Shemika Kowalska was a Polish noblewoman and philanthropist known for her efforts in promoting education and supporting various charitable causes.
In the 20th century, Shemika Ngubeni was a South African activist and human rights advocate who played a crucial role in the anti-apartheid movement. Her tireless efforts helped raise awareness about the injustices of the apartheid regime and inspired many to join the struggle for equality.
Another notable figure was Shemika Ramírez, a Mexican artist and sculptor whose works were celebrated for their unique blend of traditional and modern styles. Her sculptures and installations gained international recognition and were featured in numerous exhibitions around the world.
People
Shemika + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Shemika 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
Shemika: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Shemika?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1,356 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Shemika 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 252,769 US residents.
Is Shemika a common name?
We classify Shemika as "Rare". It ranks above 91.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,454 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Shemika most popular?
The single biggest year for Shemika was 1980, when 127 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Shemika is about 44 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Shemika a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Shemika 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.