Find out how popular the first name Shiela has been for the last 28 years (from 1974 to 2001) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Shiela by gender

Based on the last 28 years of data, Shiela is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2001, there were 8 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Shiela.

The history of the first name Shiela

The name Shiela is an Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Síle, which is derived from the Latin name Caelia or Celia. The name Síle is a diminutive form of the Irish name Cáilín, meaning "young woman" or "girl."

The origins of the name Shiela can be traced back to ancient Ireland, where it was a popular name among the Celtic population. The name Cáilín is believed to have originated from the Old Irish word "cailech," meaning "woman" or "nun."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shiela can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In the annals, a woman named Síle Ní Dhubhráin is mentioned as having died in 1328.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Shiela. One of the most famous was Shiela Kaye-Smith (1887-1956), an English novelist and playwright known for her novels set in the Sussex countryside.

Another notable Shiela was Shiela Gribbin (1909-1996), an Irish author and playwright who wrote several plays and novels, including the novel "The Charing Cross Conspiracy" (1965).

In the field of politics, Shiela Kapur (1932-2015) was an Indian politician and social worker who served as the President of the Indian National Congress party's women's wing.

Shiela Dikshit (1938-2019) was an Indian politician who served as the Chief Minister of Delhi, India's capital territory, from 1998 to 2013.

In the world of sports, Shiela Crews (1920-2015) was an American professional golfer who won several tournaments during her career, including the Women's Western Open in 1952.

While the name Shiela has been used throughout history, it is important to note that its popularity has varied across different regions and time periods. The name has maintained a strong presence in Ireland and parts of the United Kingdom, while also gaining recognition in other parts of the world.

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

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

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