Declining since 1985, #10,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Shari since 1927
Babies named Shari per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 27 |
| 1930s | 323 |
| 1940s | 2,031 |
| 1950s | 6,460 |
| 1960s | 20,516 |
| 1970s | 6,439 |
| 1980s | 3,630 |
| 1990s | 1,038 |
| 2000s | 295 |
| 2010s | 127 |
| 2020s | 41 |
Meaning & origin
Shari enjoyed its peak popularity in 1961, when it ranked among the top choices for baby girls in the United States. Since 1985, however, its usage has been steadily declining, reflecting the broader trend away from names of its era. By 2025, it had fallen to rank 10,917, with only 1 in every 200,908 newborns receiving the name. The name's trajectory underscores how mid-century coinages, often formed by respelling or shortening, can fade from fashion as new naming conventions emerge. Shari's history is a snapshot of American naming trends in the mid-20th century, when creative spellings of familiar sounds were especially popular.
Shari emerged as a mid-20th century American variation of Sherry, which itself originated as a pet form of the French 'chérie' (darling). The name gained popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, fitting the era's trend for elaborate spellings of familiar sounds. It peaked in usage in 1961 but has since declined, reflecting broader shifts away from 'y'-ending feminine names.
Where Shari is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls 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: Sha
Sibling names for Shari
Names that share Shari's style, for a brother or sister.
