MallowbyNames

Shirah

שִׁירָהSHEE-rah · Song or poetry; also a variant of Shira.

Peak popularity
1983
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Shirah since 1969

Babies named Shirah per year in U.S. Social Security records.

5914198020002020Most births 1983Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1960s5
1970s17
1980s91
1990s70
2000s71
2010s31
2020s6

Meaning & origin

Shirah is a rare feminine Hebrew name meaning 'song' or 'poetry.' It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1969, though it has never entered the top 1,000. Its peak year was 1983, and its trajectory has been stable, with modest usage continuing into the 2020s. The name aligns with the Hebrew tradition of abstract noun names and is a direct feminine variant of the more familiar Shira. While Shirah has not been recorded in enough births to generate a 1-in-N ranking or prominent top-state data, its steady presence over five decades suggests quiet but persistent appeal among families seeking a lyrical, culturally rooted name.

Shirah is a feminine Hebrew name meaning 'song' or 'poetry,' derived from the root shir (שִׁיר). It is a direct feminine form of the name Shira, which shares the same meaning. In modern Hebrew, shirah is the generic word for 'song,' giving the name a lyrical and poetic quality. Though not as common as some biblical Hebrew names, Shirah has seen use among Jewish families and in Israel, where it fits into a tradition of abstract noun names like Tikvah (hope) and Simchah (joy).

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Shiri

Variants: Shira

Sibling names for Shirah

Names that share Shirah's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Maya, Talia, Eliana, Noa, Aviva

Brothers: Eli, Noam, Ari, Micah, Yonah

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

S is for Shirah, our favorite little girl.

S is for Shirah…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Shirah's letter becomes Shirah's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Shirah's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Shirah mean?
Shirah is a Hebrew name meaning 'song' or 'poetry.'
How popular is the name Shirah?
Shirah has never ranked among the top 1,000 U.S. names. It was first recorded in 1969, with its peak usage in 1983, and has remained rare but steady since then.
Is Shirah a boy or girl name?
Shirah is almost exclusively used as a girl's name.