Declining since 1994, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Shahid since 1968
Babies named Shahid per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 14 |
| 1970s | 107 |
| 1980s | 111 |
| 1990s | 159 |
| 2000s | 158 |
| 2010s | 118 |
| 2020s | 49 |
Meaning & origin
Shahid, an Arabic name meaning 'witness', has a long history in the Muslim world. In the United States, it first appeared on the Social Security list in 1968 and has remained in steady but subdued use. The name saw its peak popularity in the year 2000, after which it has gradually declined in usage, a trajectory evident since 1994. In the latest year of data, 2025, Shahid ranked 12,008 with a frequency of 1 in every 341,615 boys. While not among the most common names, its spiritual and cultural resonance gives it enduring significance within Muslim communities.
Shahid derives from the Arabic root sh-h-d, meaning 'to witness' or 'to testify'. In Islamic tradition, it is used to refer to a martyr who bears witness to faith through sacrifice. The name has been borne across the Muslim world for centuries and appears in the Quran.
“Shahid” around the world
Where Shahid lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shah, Shady
Variants: Shaheed, Shahidul
Sibling names for Shahid
Names that share Shahid's style, for a brother or sister.
