Declining since 1985, #13,208 for girls today.
Popularity of Shara since 1927
Babies named Shara per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 22 |
| 1940s | 181 |
| 1950s | 253 |
| 1960s | 602 |
| 1970s | 1,378 |
| 1980s | 1,626 |
| 1990s | 525 |
| 2000s | 234 |
| 2010s | 86 |
| 2020s | 33 |
Meaning & origin
Shara is a feminine name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1927, eventually reaching its peak at rank 1,321 in 1979. Since 1985, its usage has been steadily declining, and in 2025 it ranked 13,208th with only about 1 in 267,878 newborn girls receiving the name. While it has never been widespread, Shara has maintained a consistent, if niche, presence for nearly a century. Its similarity to the more popular Sarah may contribute to its occasional use, though it remains a less common alternative.
Shara is most often considered a variant of Sarah, the biblical name of Abraham's wife, derived from the Hebrew 'sarah' meaning 'princess' or 'noblewoman'. It may also be a respelling of the Arabic name Shahrazad or a modern coinage based on similar sounds. The name has seen occasional use in English-speaking countries since the early 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shari, Rara, Shay
Sibling names for Shara
Names that share Shara's style, for a brother or sister.
