UK girl's name
Shema
A feminine Hebrew name derived from the Hebrew word "shema" meaning "to hear, listen, or obey".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1997. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shema is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Shema popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1997 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3824, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1996 to 1997. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Shema. 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 1998 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shema ranked #3824 for girls in England and Wales in 1997, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 3 girls were registered as Shema.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shema as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3824
1997
Births in 1997
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Shema mean?
The name Shema has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "shema," which means "to hear" or "to listen." The name is closely associated with the Jewish faith and tradition.
One of the earliest and most significant references to the name Shema can be found in the Shema Yisrael, a central prayer in Judaism that begins with the words "Shema Yisrael" (Hear, O Israel). This prayer is recited twice daily and affirms the belief in the oneness of God. It is considered one of the most important prayers in the Jewish faith, and the name Shema carries a deep religious significance.
In ancient Hebrew texts, the name Shema is sometimes used as a symbolic representation of obedience, attentiveness, and the act of listening to God's commandments. It is a name that carries a spiritual connotation and a call to devotion.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Shema was Shema, the son of Elpaal, mentioned in the Book of 1 Chronicles in the Hebrew Bible. This reference dates back to around the 5th century BCE.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Shema. One such person was Shema ben Eliezer (born around 1065 CE), a renowned Jewish scholar and commentator on the Talmud, who lived in Troyes, France, during the Middle Ages.
Another individual of historical significance was Shema ben Simha (born around 1170 CE), a French Jewish scholar and author of the influential work "Sefer ha-Terumah," which discussed Jewish law and ethics.
In the 13th century, Shema ben Abraham ibn Gaon (born around 1200 CE) was a prominent Talmudic scholar and author from Spain, known for his contributions to Jewish legal literature.
In the 16th century, Shema Yisrael ben Elijah (born around 1530 CE) was a notable Kabbalist and author from Safed, in what is now modern-day Israel. He is known for his work on Jewish mysticism and esoteric teachings.
It is worth noting that while the name Shema has a rich historical and religious significance within the Jewish tradition, it has also been adopted by individuals from other cultures and backgrounds over time, albeit with varying spellings and pronunciations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shema over time
The chart below shows babies named Shema registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 1997. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shema, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 1997, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shema by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shema 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 | #3810 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Shema
- 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
Shema: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shema in the UK right now?
In 1997, Shema was ranked #3824 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Shema most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 3 babies registered as Shema in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shema?
A feminine Hebrew name derived from the Hebrew word "shema" meaning "to hear, listen, or obey".
How many people are called Shema in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Shema across the 2 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.