Holding steady.
Popularity of Shanara since 1975
Babies named Shanara per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 28 |
| 1980s | 94 |
| 1990s | 101 |
| 2000s | 18 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Shanara is a rare modern name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1975, reflecting the trend of inventing names by blending familiar sounds and suffixes. Its peak year was 1996, when it ranked 675th nationally, but its trajectory has been stable and low since then, with fewer than 5 annual births in recent years. The name is almost exclusively given to girls, and unlike many coined names of the era, Shanara has not experienced a revival. Its top states are unknown due to insufficient data, but its use appears scattered across the country. While its exact etymology is uncertain, the name carries a melodic, contemporary feel typical of late 20th-century American coinages.
Shanara first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1975, likely as a modern coinage combining elements of names like Shannon or Shawna with the fashionable -ara suffix. It may also be influenced by the Arabic name Shanara or a variant of Shanara, though no direct historical derivation is attested. The name saw modest use in the 1990s, peaking in 1996, and has remained stable in low frequency since.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shana, Nara, Shay
Variants: Shanarah, Shanarra
Sibling names for Shanara
Names that share Shanara's style, for a brother or sister.
