UK girl's name
Shakyra
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "grateful" or "graceful".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2011. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shakyra is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Shakyra popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2011 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5785, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 5 births.
This profile covers 16 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 1999 to 2011. 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 60% 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 Shakyra. 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 2012 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shakyra ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2011, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2003, when 5 girls were registered as Shakyra.
- • About 16 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shakyra as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5785
2011
Births in 2011
3
Latest year
Peak year
2003
5 births
Estimated living
16
2026
Meaning
What does Shakyra mean?
The name Shakyra likely originated from the Arabic language, with roots tracing back to the Middle East and North Africa regions. It is believed to be a feminine variation of the Arabic name Shakir, derived from the word "shukr," meaning "grateful" or "thankful." This suggests that the name Shakyra carries a connotation of gratefulness or appreciation.
During the medieval period, the name Shakyra was commonly found in Islamic communities and societies influenced by Arabic culture. While it does not appear to have any direct references in major religious texts or ancient scriptures, the name's Arabic origins align with the linguistic and cultural traditions of the region during that time.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shakyra can be traced back to the 12th century. Shakyra al-Durri, born in 1160 in Damascus, Syria, was a renowned poet and scholar renowned for her contributions to Arabic literature and philosophy. Her collection of poetry, known as the "Diwan al-Shakyra," is considered a significant work from that era.
In the 14th century, Shakyra bint al-Malik al-Ashraf, born in 1330 in Cairo, Egypt, was a prominent figure in the Mamluk Sultanate. She played a crucial role in the political and cultural affairs of the region, serving as a patron of the arts and a supporter of intellectual endeavors.
Moving forward to the 16th century, Shakyra al-Andalusiyya, born in 1520 in Granada, Spain, was a celebrated poet and calligrapher during the Moorish era in Andalusia. Her works were widely acclaimed for their eloquence and artistic elegance, reflecting the rich cultural fusion of Arab and Spanish influences.
In the 19th century, Shakyra al-Khalidi, born in 1845 in Damascus, Syria, was a prominent figure in the Arab Renaissance movement, known as the Nahda. She was a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights, contributing significantly to the intellectual and social reform efforts of her time.
Another notable figure with the name Shakyra was Shakyra al-Khayri, born in 1890 in Tripoli, Libya. She was a renowned musician and composer, renowned for her contributions to the preservation and promotion of traditional Libyan music and cultural heritage.
It is worth noting that while the name Shakyra has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, it has since gained popularity and usage across various regions and communities around the world, transcending its original linguistic and cultural boundaries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shakyra over time
The chart below shows babies named Shakyra registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 to 2011. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shakyra, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2011, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shakyra by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shakyra 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 | #4899 | 8 | 2 |
| 2000s | #3099 | 5 | 1 |
| 1990s | #3900 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Shakyra
- 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
Shakyra: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shakyra in the UK right now?
In 2011, Shakyra was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Shakyra most popular?
The peak year on record was 2003, with 5 babies registered as Shakyra in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shakyra?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "grateful" or "graceful".
How many people are called Shakyra in the UK?
A total of 16 babies have been registered as Shakyra across the 4 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.