NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Shakayla

Of Native American origin meaning "beautiful, luminous one".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Shakayla is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Shakayla popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5785, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 4 births.

This profile covers 20 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 2001 to 2016. 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 75% 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 Shakayla. 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 2017 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Shakayla ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2009, when 4 girls were registered as Shakayla.
  • About 20 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shakayla as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5785

2016

Births in 2016

3

Latest year

Peak year

2009

4 births

Estimated living

20

2026

Meaning

What does Shakayla mean?

The name Shakayla is a relatively modern name with its origins rooted in a combination of African and English influences. It is believed to be a variation of the name Shakyla, which is derived from the Arabic word "shakeel," meaning "graceful" or "beautiful."

The earliest recorded use of the name Shakayla can be traced back to the late 20th century, particularly in the United States, where it gained popularity among African American communities. However, the exact circumstances and reasons behind its emergence remain uncertain.

While the name Shakayla does not have a long historical lineage or documented references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been embraced by various individuals over the past few decades. One notable bearer of the name is Shakayla Massey, an American basketball player who played for the University of Louisville from 2014 to 2018.

Another individual with the name Shakayla is Shakayla Thomas, an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Sparks in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Thomas was born in 1995 and has had a successful career in collegiate and professional basketball.

Shakayla Lyne is another individual who bears this name. She is a British actress and model known for her roles in various television series and films, including "Holby City" and "The Hustle."

In the literary world, Shakayla Massey is an author and poet who has published several works exploring themes of identity, race, and social justice. Her debut poetry collection, "Roots & Branches," was released in 2019.

Lastly, Shakayla Shorter is a notable figure in the music industry. Born in 1992, she is an American singer-songwriter and record producer who has worked with several renowned artists and has released her own music.

While the name Shakayla may be relatively new in its usage, it has been embraced by individuals from diverse backgrounds and fields, showcasing its growing presence and acceptance in various communities around the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Shakayla over time

The chart below shows babies named Shakayla registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2016. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Shakayla, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2016, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Shakayla
01234200120082016

Decades

Shakayla by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shakayla 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 #5405 10 3
2000s #4312 10 3

Related

Names similar to Shakayla

FAQ

Shakayla: questions and answers

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

In 2016, Shakayla was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Shakayla most popular?

The peak year on record was 2009, with 4 babies registered as Shakayla in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Shakayla?

Of Native American origin meaning "beautiful, luminous one".

How many people are called Shakayla in the UK?

A total of 20 babies have been registered as Shakayla across the 6 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.