NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Shamilla

An Arabic feminine name meaning "beautiful and perfect".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2000. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Shamilla is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Shamilla popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2000 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3912, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 4 births.

This profile covers 13 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 1996 to 2000. 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 13 living people in the UK are called Shamilla. 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 2001 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Shamilla ranked #3912 for girls in England and Wales in 2000, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1998, when 4 girls were registered as Shamilla.
  • About 13 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shamilla as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3912

2000

Births in 2000

3

Latest year

Peak year

1998

4 births

Estimated living

13

2026

Meaning

What does Shamilla mean?

The name Shamilla has its roots in the Persian language and culture, dating back to the ancient Iranian civilizations that flourished in the region now known as the Middle East. It is derived from the Persian word "sham," which means "evening" or "dusk," and the suffix "-illa," which is a diminutive form indicating endearment or affection.

The earliest known reference to the name Shamilla can be found in the epic poetry of the 10th century Persian poet Ferdowsi, who mentioned a character with this name in his masterpiece, the Shahnameh (Book of Kings). This literary work, considered a national epic of Iran, recounts the history and mythology of the Persian empire and its rulers.

In the 12th century, the name Shamilla appeared in historical records as the name of a princess from the Seljuk Empire, which ruled over a vast territory stretching from Central Asia to the eastern Mediterranean. Princess Shamilla was known for her beauty and intelligence, and her name became associated with grace and elegance.

One of the most notable figures in history to bear the name Shamilla was a 14th-century Persian poet and mystic. Shamilla Qazvini, born in 1335 in the city of Qazvin, Iran, was renowned for her spiritual verses and her deep understanding of Sufi philosophy. Her poetry, which celebrated the divine love and the unity of all beings, has been preserved and studied by scholars over the centuries.

Another influential figure with the name Shamilla was Shamilla Banu Begum, a 16th-century Mughal princess and the daughter of Emperor Akbar. She was known for her patronage of the arts and her philanthropic endeavors, establishing several schools and hospitals during her lifetime.

In the 19th century, Shamilla Khanom, an Armenian poet and writer, made significant contributions to the literary world with her works that explored themes of love, identity, and social issues. Born in 1858 in Tbilisi, Georgia, she is celebrated as one of the pioneers of modern Armenian literature.

Throughout history, the name Shamilla has maintained its association with beauty, grace, and a deep appreciation for the arts and spirituality. While its origins can be traced back to ancient Persia, the name has transcended cultural boundaries and continues to be cherished and celebrated across various regions and communities.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Shamilla over time

The chart below shows babies named Shamilla registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2000. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Shamilla, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2000, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Shamilla
01234199619982000

Decades

Shamilla by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shamilla 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 #3912 3 1
1990s #3612 10 3

Related

Names similar to Shamilla

FAQ

Shamilla: questions and answers

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

In 2000, Shamilla was ranked #3912 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Shamilla most popular?

The peak year on record was 1998, with 4 babies registered as Shamilla in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Shamilla?

An Arabic feminine name meaning "beautiful and perfect".

How many people are called Shamilla in the UK?

A total of 13 babies have been registered as Shamilla 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.