A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Shem since 1954
Babies named Shem per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 36 |
| 1970s | 156 |
| 1980s | 123 |
| 1990s | 110 |
| 2000s | 113 |
| 2010s | 130 |
| 2020s | 77 |
Meaning & origin
Shem is a biblical name with deep roots, yet it remains rare in modern usage. First recorded in U.S. data in 1954, the name peaked in 1976 but has been slowly rising again since 2011. In 2025 it ranked 7,679th, occurring at a rate of 1 in 170,808 boys. Because of its close association with the son of Noah, Shem carries religious weight while feeling distinct in an era of more common Old Testament names. Parents who choose Shem often appreciate its simple strength and its carryover from the Hebrew Bible, though it remains an infrequent choice that stands apart from more popular biblical names like Noah or Jacob.
Shem is the English form of the Hebrew name שֵׁם (Shem), derived from the Hebrew word for 'name' (shem) possibly related to 'fame' or 'renown'. In the Hebrew Bible, Shem is one of the sons of Noah, traditionally considered the ancestor of the Semitic peoples. The name has been used by Jews and Christians over millennia, and was adopted by English speakers following the Protestant Reformation, though it remains rare.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Sem
Sibling names for Shem
Names that share Shem's style, for a brother or sister.
