UK girl's name
Shelah
Feminine name of Hebrew origin meaning "request", "petition", or "prayer".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1999. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shelah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Shelah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1999 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3900, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 1999 to 1999. 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.
Shelah is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Shelah. 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 2000 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shelah ranked #3900 for girls in England and Wales in 1999, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 3 girls were registered as Shelah.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shelah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3900
1999
Births in 1999
3
Latest year
Peak year
1999
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Shelah mean?
The name Shelah is of ancient Hebrew origin, with its roots tracing back to the Old Testament era. It is derived from the Hebrew word "shalah," which means "to send" or "to release." The name carries a sense of being dispatched or set free, often interpreted as a symbolic representation of a journey or a mission.
In the biblical context, Shelah is mentioned in the Book of Genesis as one of the sons of Judah and the daughter of Shua, a Canaanite woman. This reference places the name's usage in the ancient Middle Eastern region, where the Hebrew culture flourished. The name's appearance in the Old Testament suggests its antiquity and deep-rooted connection to the Abrahamic faiths.
One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the name Shelah was a biblical figure mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:21-23. This Shelah was said to be a descendant of Judah and the father of several children, including the residents of Netaim and Gederah.
Throughout history, the name Shelah has been associated with various notable figures. In the 2nd century AD, Shelah ben Admon was a renowned Talmudic scholar and a member of the Sanhedrin, the supreme rabbinical court in ancient Judea. His teachings and insights on Jewish law and tradition have been preserved in the Talmud.
Another significant figure was Rabbi Shelah HaKadosh, a prominent 16th-century Kabbalist and mystic from Tzfat, Galilee. He authored the influential work "Shelah HaKadosh," which delved into Jewish mysticism and ethical teachings. His contributions to the Kabbalistic tradition earned him a revered place in Jewish spiritual literature.
In the realm of literature, Shelah was the name of a character in the epic poem "Paradise Lost" by John Milton, published in 1667. The name was used to represent one of the sons of Judah, reflecting the biblical reference.
Additionally, Shelah was the name of an ancient town mentioned in the Book of Samuel, located in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin. This geographical reference further underscores the name's deep roots in the ancient Near Eastern region.
While the name Shelah has its origins in the Hebrew tradition, it has also been adopted across various cultures and languages over time, albeit with slight variations in spelling and pronunciation. However, its core meaning and historical significance remain tied to its ancient Semitic roots.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Shelah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shelah 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | #3900 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Shelah
- 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
Shelah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shelah in the UK right now?
In 1999, Shelah was ranked #3900 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Shelah most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 3 babies registered as Shelah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shelah?
Feminine name of Hebrew origin meaning "request", "petition", or "prayer".
How many people are called Shelah in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Shelah across the 1 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.