Declining since 1989.
Popularity of Shama since 1968
Babies named Shama per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 91 |
| 1980s | 125 |
| 1990s | 87 |
| 2000s | 69 |
| 2010s | 39 |
| 2020s | 35 |
Meaning & origin
Shama is a name of Sanskrit origin meaning 'flame' or 'lamp,' carrying poetic and spiritual overtones in South Asian cultures. It first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 1968, but it has never entered the top 1000 rankings, indicating its rarity in the United States. The name reached its highest recorded usage in 1979, after which its frequency has generally fallen, with a clear downward trend since 1989. Despite its low rank, the name retains cultural significance in communities familiar with Hindi, Urdu, and Bengali. It is most often given to girls, and its gentle sound and luminous meaning make it a distinct choice. No top states were recorded for Shama, underscoring its scattered usage across the country.
Shama derives from the Sanskrit word शमा (śamā) meaning 'flame' or 'lamp,' and is used in Hindi and Urdu with the same sense. It is also a feminine name in Bengali. The name carries connotations of light and warmth, often used metaphorically in poetry.
“Shama” around the world
Where Shama lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Shamma, Shamah
Sibling names for Shama
Names that share Shama's style, for a brother or sister.
