Declining since 2005, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Shemaiah since 1979
Babies named Shemaiah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 16 |
| 1990s | 79 |
| 2000s | 118 |
| 2010s | 40 |
| 2020s | 11 |
Meaning & origin
Shemaiah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning 'God has heard,' borne by several figures in the Hebrew Bible. In the United States, it first appeared on record for girls in 1979 and reached its peak rank of 14,942 in 2004. Since 2005, its usage has been declining, though it remains a distinctive choice with a strong biblical resonance. Its highest per-capita use occurred in the 2000s.
Shemaiah is a Hebrew name from the elements 'shama' (to hear) and 'Yah' (a shortened form of Yahweh). In the Hebrew Bible, several men bear this name, including a prophet in the reign of Rehoboam. Despite its biblical roots, it remained rare in English-speaking countries until the late 20th century, when it began to be used occasionally for girls.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shea, Mia
Variants: Shemaia, Shmaiah
Sibling names for Shemaiah
Names that share Shemaiah's style, for a brother or sister.
