Declining since 2018, #6,116 for girls today.
Popularity of Shaira since 1979
Babies named Shaira per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 39 |
| 1990s | 104 |
| 2000s | 128 |
| 2010s | 173 |
| 2020s | 126 |
Meaning & origin
Shaira is a girl's name that has been in use in the United States since at least 1979. Its popularity peaked in 2017, and since 2018 it has been on a downward trajectory. In 2025, it ranked 6,116, with about 1 in 84,593 births. The name's origins are debated: it may be an anglicized form of the Arabic word for "poetess" (Sha'ira), or a variant of the Irish name Sheera. Some modern uses in South Asia and the Philippines appear to be independent coinages. Though not among the most common names, Shaira has a melodic, international feel that appeals to parents seeking a name with cross-cultural resonance.
Shaira likely derives from the Arabic root sh-'-r, relating to poetry; in Arabic, Sha'ira (شاعرة) means "poetess." It may also be a variant of the Irish name Sheera, a diminutive of Síle (anglicized as Sheila), which itself is the Irish form of Cecilia. Some modern uses in South Asia and the Philippines may be independent coinages based on similar-sounding names.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shai, Sherry, Rara
Sibling names for Shaira
Names that share Shaira's style, for a brother or sister.
