Declining since 2000, #5,608 for boys today.
Popularity of Shamar since 1972
Babies named Shamar per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 191 |
| 1980s | 625 |
| 1990s | 1,304 |
| 2000s | 2,538 |
| 2010s | 1,191 |
| 2020s | 288 |
Meaning & origin
Shamar first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1972, a time when African American naming practices were innovating with new phonetic combinations. The name reached its peak rank in 2000, when it was the 5608th most popular name, with a 1-in-106,755 incidence. Since then, it has been on a falling trajectory, reflecting broader shifts in naming trends away from the 'Sha-' prefix names popular in the late 20th century. Florida has been the top state for Shamar, suggesting a regional concentration. The name's meaning remains uncertain, but it is often associated with Hebrew roots, possibly as a variant of Shamir. Its modern usage likely blends the prefix 'Sha-' with Amar, a Hebrew name meaning 'speech', though this is not definitively attested. Despite its decline, Shamar remains a recognizable choice within its cultural context.
Shamar emerged in the United States in the late 20th century. It may be a modern coinage blending the popular prefix 'Sha-' (found in names like Shamar and Shante) with the Hebrew name Amar, meaning 'he said' or 'speech'. Alternatively, it could be a variant of Shamir, a Hebrew word for 'thorn' or 'flint', also used as a given name. The name appears to have been influenced by African American naming traditions of the 1970s and 1980s, often combining phonetic elements to create distinctive names.
Where Shamar is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sham, Mar
Sibling names for Shamar
Names that share Shamar's style, for a brother or sister.
