NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Shaira

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "petite" or "small".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Shaira is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Shaira popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 6 births.

This profile covers 48 England and Wales registrations across 13 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 48 living people in the UK are called Shaira. 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 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Shaira ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2005, when 6 girls were registered as Shaira.
  • About 48 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shaira as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5891

2024

Births in 2024

3

Latest year

Peak year

2005

6 births

Estimated living

48

2026

Meaning

What does Shaira mean?

The name Shaira is believed to have its origins in the Arabic language, with its roots traced back to the Middle East and North Africa. The name is derived from the Arabic word "Shair," which means "poetry" or "verse." This linguistic connection suggests that the name may have been associated with poetic expression or literary prowess in its early usage.

During the medieval period, the name Shaira gained popularity among Arabic-speaking communities, particularly in regions where Islamic culture and literature flourished. It is possible that the name was bestowed upon individuals who demonstrated a talent for poetry or storytelling, as these art forms held significant cultural and religious significance in the Arab world.

While there are no definitive records of the name appearing in ancient texts or religious scriptures, some historical accounts suggest that Shaira was used as a personal name among nobility and scholarly circles in the Middle Ages. The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the 11th and 12th centuries, where it can be found in various historical documents and records from the region.

One notable figure who bore the name Shaira was a 12th-century Arab poet and scholar from Andalusia, Spain. Born in 1135, she was known for her contributions to the rich literary tradition of the Iberian Peninsula during the era of Islamic rule. Her poetry celebrated themes of love, nature, and the human experience, earning her recognition among her contemporaries.

Another historical figure named Shaira was a 13th-century Persian mathematician and astronomer. Born in 1210 in present-day Iran, she made significant contributions to the field of trigonometry and authored several works on celestial mechanics. Her pioneering work in the sciences was remarkable for a woman of her time.

In the 14th century, a renowned Sufi mystic and poet from present-day Turkey bore the name Shaira. Born in 1320, she was revered for her spiritual teachings and her ability to convey profound mystical insights through her poetic verses. Her legacy as a spiritual guide and literary figure endured for generations.

During the 15th century, a prominent Arab scholar and linguist from Egypt named Shaira gained recognition for her expertise in the Arabic language and her contributions to the preservation of classical Arabic literature. Born in 1450, she authored numerous works on grammar, syntax, and literary analysis, leaving a lasting impact on the study of the Arabic language.

In the 16th century, a notable figure named Shaira emerged as a celebrated calligrapher and artist in the Ottoman Empire. Born in 1520 in present-day Turkey, her exquisite calligraphic works adorned numerous mosques, palaces, and manuscripts, showcasing her mastery of the art form and her dedication to preserving Islamic artistic traditions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Shaira over time

The chart below shows babies named Shaira registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Shaira, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Shaira
02356199620102024

Decades

Shaira by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shaira 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
2020s #5891 3 1
2010s #5380 10 3
2000s #3911 20 5
1990s #3387 15 4

Related

Names similar to Shaira

FAQ

Shaira: questions and answers

How popular is the name Shaira in the UK right now?

In 2024, Shaira was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Shaira most popular?

The peak year on record was 2005, with 6 babies registered as Shaira in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Shaira?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "petite" or "small".

How many people are called Shaira in the UK?

A total of 48 babies have been registered as Shaira across the 13 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.