Declining since 2008, #2,298 for girls today.
Popularity of Shyla since 1942
Babies named Shyla per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 19 |
| 1950s | 39 |
| 1960s | 86 |
| 1970s | 435 |
| 1980s | 860 |
| 1990s | 1,533 |
| 2000s | 2,581 |
| 2010s | 1,734 |
| 2020s | 739 |
Meaning & origin
Shyla is a name that emerged in the U.S. around 1942, but its popularity began to climb more noticeably in the 1990s and 2000s. The name reached its peak rank in 2008, after which it has been on a downward trend. Even at its highest usage, Shyla remained relatively uncommon, with a ranking outside the top 1,000. In 2025, the name ranked 2,298th, given to about 1 in 20,345 newborns, with the highest concentrations in New York, California, and Texas. Its origins are ambiguous; it may be a modern invention influenced by names like Shayla or a borrowing of the Sanskrit Shila. The uncertainty of its meaning and roots gives Shyla a modern, flexible feel, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive but soft-sounding name.
The name Shyla appears to have multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of the Sanskrit name Shila, meaning 'rock' or 'stone', which is used in India. Alternatively, it is likely a modern American coinage, possibly a combination of the popular 'Sh-' sound (as in Shayla or Shania) and the '-la' suffix. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1942 but saw significant growth in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, particularly in the 2000s.
Where Shyla is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shy, Shy-Shy
Sibling names for Shyla
Names that share Shyla's style, for a brother or sister.
