UK girl's name
Shanique
A feminine name of West Indian origin meaning "God is gracious".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2013. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shanique is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Shanique popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2013 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5742, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 16 births.
This profile covers 96 England and Wales registrations across 13 recorded years from 1996 to 2013. 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 19% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 95 living people in the UK are called Shanique. 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 2014 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shanique ranked #5742 for girls in England and Wales in 2013, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2003, when 16 girls were registered as Shanique.
- • About 95 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shanique as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5742
2013
Births in 2013
3
Latest year
Peak year
2003
16 births
Estimated living
95
2026
Meaning
What does Shanique mean?
The name Shanique originated in the West Indies, particularly in Jamaica, and is of African descent. It is a modern name that emerged in the 20th century, derived from the combination of the French name "Chantal" and the Jamaican Patois word "shana," meaning "beautiful" or "graceful."
The name Shanique gained popularity in Jamaica during the late 20th century, reflecting the island's rich cultural heritage and the influence of various linguistic traditions. It became a popular choice for parents seeking a unique and meaningful name for their daughters, combining elements of French and Jamaican Patois.
While the name Shanique does not have a documented historical presence in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its origins can be traced back to the cultural melting pot of the Caribbean region. The blending of African, European, and indigenous influences has contributed to the creation of new names that reflect the diverse identities of the people.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shanique can be found in birth records from Jamaica in the late 1960s and early 1970s. As the name gained popularity, it began to appear more frequently in various records and documents.
Notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Shanique include Shanique Williams (born 1987), a Jamaican sprinter who competed in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. Another prominent figure is Shanique Dillingham (born 1994), an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA.
Shanique Spooner (born 1993) is a Jamaican track and field athlete who specializes in the 400-meter hurdles and has represented Jamaica at multiple international competitions. Shanique Simms (born 1987) is a Jamaican singer and songwriter known for her contributions to the reggae and dancehall genres.
Shanique Drummond (born 1982) is a Jamaican-American fashion designer and entrepreneur who has gained recognition for her sustainable and ethical fashion initiatives, promoting the use of locally sourced materials and empowering local artisans.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shanique over time
The chart below shows babies named Shanique registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2013. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shanique, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2013, compared with 16 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shanique by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shanique 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 | #5725 | 6 | 2 |
| 2000s | #2569 | 66 | 8 |
| 1990s | #2156 | 24 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Shanique
- 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
Shanique: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shanique in the UK right now?
In 2013, Shanique was ranked #5742 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Shanique most popular?
The peak year on record was 2003, with 16 babies registered as Shanique in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shanique?
A feminine name of West Indian origin meaning "God is gracious".
How many people are called Shanique in the UK?
A total of 96 babies have been registered as Shanique 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.