Find out how popular the first name Shia has been for the last 38 years (from 1986 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Shia by gender

Based on the last 38 years of data, Shia is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 66% of people named Shia being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 157 male babies and 48 female babies born with the name Shia.

The history of the first name Shia

The name Shia finds its origins in Arabic, with roots dating back to the early days of Islam in the 7th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic word "Shi'a," which means "follower" or "partisan." This name is closely linked to the Shia branch of Islam, which emerged after the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Shia can be found in the historical accounts of the early Islamic caliphates and the conflicts that arose between the Sunni and Shia sects. The name gained prominence as a designation for those who followed the teachings of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, and his descendants.

Throughout Islamic history, there have been several notable figures bearing the name Shia. One of the most prominent was Shia al-Isfahani, a renowned Islamic scholar and historian who lived in the 10th century CE. He is renowned for his work "Kitab al-Aghani," a monumental collection of Arabic poetry and biographical accounts of poets.

Another important figure in Shia history was Shia al-Bukhari, a 9th-century Islamic scholar known for his contributions to the study of Hadith (the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad). His work, "Sahih al-Bukhari," is considered one of the most authoritative collections of Hadith in Sunni Islam.

In more recent times, Shia LaBeouf, an American actor born in 1986, has brought the name into the public spotlight. Known for his roles in films such as "Transformers" and "Fury," he has garnered both critical acclaim and media attention for his acting career and personal life.

Shia Kapos, an American journalist and writer born in the mid-20th century, is also a notable figure associated with this name. She has worked for various publications, including the Chicago Sun-Times and Crain's Chicago Business, covering topics related to politics and business.

It is worth noting that while the name Shia has its roots in Arabic and Islamic culture, it has transcended these boundaries and has been adopted by various cultures and communities around the world, often with slight variations in spelling or pronunciation.

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 Shia was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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