UK girl's name
Shaakirah
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "grateful" or "thankful".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2009. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shaakirah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Shaakirah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2009 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4564, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 5 births.
This profile covers 20 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2002 to 2009. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 80% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 20 living people in the UK are called Shaakirah. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2010 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shaakirah ranked #4564 for girls in England and Wales in 2009, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2004, when 5 girls were registered as Shaakirah.
- • About 20 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shaakirah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4564
2009
Births in 2009
4
Latest year
Peak year
2004
5 births
Estimated living
20
2026
Meaning
What does Shaakirah mean?
The name Shaakirah is of Arabic origin, derived from the root word "shakara," which means "to give thanks" or "to be grateful." It is a feminine name that has been used in the Arabic-speaking world for centuries.
The name Shaakirah is believed to have first appeared in the 7th century, during the rise of Islam. It is closely associated with the Islamic faith and is often given to girls as a reminder of the importance of gratitude and thankfulness to Allah (God).
In the Quran, the holy book of Islam, the concept of being grateful to God is emphasized numerous times. The name Shaakirah reflects this virtue and is meant to instill a sense of gratitude and humility in the bearer.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Shaakirah can be found in historical texts from the Abbasid Caliphate, which ruled over a vast territory from the 8th to the 13th century. During this time, the name was popular among Arab scholars and intellectuals.
Throughout history, there have been several notable women who bore the name Shaakirah. One of the most famous was Shaakirah bint Al-Husayn (1228-1292), a renowned Islamic scholar and poet from Syria. She was renowned for her extensive knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence and her contributions to Arabic literature.
Another prominent figure was Shaakirah Al-Samarkandi (1546-1621), a Persian mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of trigonometry. Her works were widely studied and influenced subsequent generations of scholars.
In the 19th century, Shaakirah Al-Bahr (1818-1892) was a celebrated Egyptian writer and activist who advocated for women's rights and education. She founded one of the first schools for girls in Cairo and wrote extensively on the importance of women's empowerment.
More recently, Shaakirah Bourne (1960-) is a British actress and singer who has appeared in numerous television shows and films. She is known for her roles in popular series such as "EastEnders" and "Casualty."
Shaakirah Mashhurah (1981-) is a contemporary Kuwaiti artist and calligrapher who has gained recognition for her intricate and beautiful works that blend traditional Islamic art with modern styles.
These are just a few examples of notable women throughout history who have carried the name Shaakirah, which has endured as a symbol of gratitude and appreciation within the Arabic-speaking world and beyond.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shaakirah over time
The chart below shows babies named Shaakirah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 to 2009. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shaakirah, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2009, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shaakirah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shaakirah was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4105 | 20 | 5 |
Related
Names similar to Shaakirah
- Sophie 103,803
- Sophia 46,936
- Scarlett 34,261
- Sienna 32,418
- Sofia 29,136
- Sarah 27,961
- Shannon 25,510
- Summer 24,167
- Sara 14,205
- Skye 13,654
- Samantha 12,697
- Stephanie 9,309
FAQ
Shaakirah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shaakirah in the UK right now?
In 2009, Shaakirah was ranked #4564 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Shaakirah most popular?
The peak year on record was 2004, with 5 babies registered as Shaakirah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shaakirah?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "grateful" or "thankful".
How many people are called Shaakirah in the UK?
A total of 20 babies have been registered as Shaakirah across the 5 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.