Holding steady.
Popularity of Shima since 1975
Babies named Shima per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 13 |
| 1980s | 38 |
| 1990s | 32 |
| 2000s | 23 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Shima is a name of multiple origins, primarily Japanese and Persian. In Japanese, it directly references the word for 'island', giving it a natural, serene quality. In Persian, it carries the meaning of 'good-natured' or 'beautiful'. The name first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1975 and saw its peak usage in 1979, though it has always been uncommon. Usage has been stable over recent decades. Despite its rarity, Shima maintains a gentle, cross-cultural appeal that resonates with families seeking a short, melodic name with geographic or gracious undertones.
Shima has multiple possible origins. In Japanese, 島 (shima) directly means 'island' and is commonly used in place names and as a feminine given name. In Persian, Shima (شیماء) is a variant of Shima, meaning 'good-natured' or 'beautiful', and is used as a feminine name in Iran and other Persian-speaking regions. It is also found in Hebrew as a variant of Shimon or as a separate name meaning 'my name' or 'fame'.
Sibling names for Shima
Names that share Shima's style, for a brother or sister.
