Holding steady.
Popularity of Shemia since 1976
Babies named Shemia per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 13 |
| 1980s | 84 |
| 1990s | 40 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Shemia is a modern American name that first appeared on the U.S. Social Security Administration's baby name list in 1976. Its peak year was 1985, when it reached its highest recorded usage, though it never entered the top 1,000 names nationally. Since then, its trajectory has been stable, with occasional births each year. The name's origins are obscure, but it likely arose as a creative respelling or blend of familiar sounds, reflecting the trend of distinctive coinages that emerged in the late 20th century. No state recorded especially high usage, consistent with its overall rarity. While its etymology remains uncertain, Shemia continues a tradition of inventive, melodious names that carry personal rather than historical significance.
Shemia first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1976, suggesting a modern coinage. It may have been formed by combining the phonetic elements of names such as Sheena (an anglicization of Irish Síne) or Shamira (a Hebrew name meaning 'guardian') with a fashionable -ia ending. The name saw peak usage in 1985 and has remained in occasional use since.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: She, Mia
Sibling names for Shemia
Names that share Shemia's style, for a brother or sister.
