UK girl's name
Shada
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "the singing one" or "melody".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2010. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shada is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Shada popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2010 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4012, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 7 births.
This profile covers 16 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2001 to 2010. 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 71% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 16 living people in the UK are called Shada. 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 2011 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shada ranked #4012 for girls in England and Wales in 2010, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2006, when 7 girls were registered as Shada.
- • About 16 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shada as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4012
2010
Births in 2010
5
Latest year
Peak year
2006
7 births
Estimated living
16
2026
Meaning
What does Shada mean?
The name Shada is believed to have originated from the Arabic language, derived from the word "shada," which means "to chant" or "to sing." This name has its roots in the Middle Eastern and North African regions, where it has been in use for centuries.
In Islamic tradition, the name Shada is often associated with the recitation of the Quran and the chanting of religious hymns. It carries a spiritual connotation and is believed to have been given to individuals who possessed a melodious voice or had a penchant for chanting and singing.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shada can be found in the writings of the renowned Islamic scholar and philosopher, Ibn Rushd, also known as Averroes (1126-1198 CE). He mentioned a scholar named Shada al-Andalusi, who was renowned for his expertise in Islamic jurisprudence and his beautiful recitations of the Quran.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Shada. One such figure was Shada al-Baghdadi (d. 1292 CE), a celebrated poet and calligrapher from Baghdad, whose works were highly acclaimed during the Abbasid Caliphate. His poetic compositions were known for their intricate rhythms and melodious verses.
Another prominent bearer of the name was Shada al-Misri (1568-1630 CE), an Egyptian scholar and jurist who made significant contributions to the field of Islamic law. He was renowned for his vast knowledge and his ability to recite the Quran with great eloquence and precision.
In the realm of music, Shada al-Mawsili (d. 1091 CE) stands out as a renowned musician and composer from Mosul, Iraq. He was celebrated for his mastery of various musical instruments and his compositions, which were widely performed in royal courts and scholarly circles during the Abbasid era.
Lastly, Shada al-Bukhari (1810-1888 CE) was a prominent Islamic scholar and poet from Bukhara, present-day Uzbekistan. He was highly respected for his extensive knowledge of Islamic sciences and his eloquent poetry, which often explored spiritual themes and the beauty of the Arabic language.
These historical figures, among others, have carried the name Shada with distinction, reflecting its association with the arts of recitation, poetry, and music, as well as scholarly pursuits within the Islamic tradition.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shada over time
The chart below shows babies named Shada registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2010. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shada, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2010, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shada by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shada 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4012 | 5 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3022 | 11 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Shada
- 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
Shada: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shada in the UK right now?
In 2010, Shada was ranked #4012 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Shada most popular?
The peak year on record was 2006, with 7 babies registered as Shada in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shada?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "the singing one" or "melody".
How many people are called Shada in the UK?
A total of 16 babies have been registered as Shada across the 3 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.