UK boy's name
Shemar
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "handsome man" or "dazzling like the moon".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shemar is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Shemar popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4789, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 7 births.
This profile covers 50 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 2000 to 2022. 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 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 50 living people in the UK are called Shemar. 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 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shemar ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales in 2022, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2003, when 7 boys were registered as Shemar.
- • About 50 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shemar as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4789
2022
Births in 2022
3
Latest year
Peak year
2003
7 births
Estimated living
50
2026
Meaning
What does Shemar mean?
The name Shemar has its origins in the Arabic language, tracing back to the Middle East and North Africa regions. It is derived from the Arabic root word "sh-m-r," which means "to keep vigil" or "to guard."
In Arabic culture, the name Shemar was often given to boys with the hope that they would grow up to be protectors and guardians of their families and communities. The name holds spiritual and cultural significance, reflecting the importance of vigilance and watchfulness in Islamic traditions.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shemar can be found in ancient Arabic texts and historical records. It was mentioned in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, as well as in various hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad).
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Shemar. One of the earliest recorded examples is Shemar ibn Habib (740-805 AD), a renowned Arabic poet and scholar from Basra, Iraq, known for his contributions to Arabic literature and linguistics.
In the 12th century, Shemar al-Jazari (1136-1206) was a renowned Arab engineer, inventor, and polymath from Jazira, Mesopotamia (modern-day Turkey). He is celebrated for his groundbreaking work in the field of mechanical engineering, including the design of numerous innovative water clocks and automata.
Another notable figure was Shemar ibn Majid (c. 1432-1500), an Arab navigator and cartographer from the Sultanate of Oman. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest sailors and maritime explorers of the Indian Ocean, known for his contributions to navigation techniques and the development of nautical charts.
In the 19th century, Shemar Khan (1828-1869) was a prominent Afghan ruler and military commander who played a significant role in the Anglo-Afghan Wars. He is remembered for his strategic leadership and efforts to defend Afghan territorial integrity against British colonial expansion.
More recently, Shemar Moore (born 1970) is an American actor and former fashion model, best known for his roles in popular television series such as "Criminal Minds" and "S.W.A.T." He has brought renewed attention to the name Shemar in contemporary culture.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shemar over time
The chart below shows babies named Shemar registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2000 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shemar, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2022, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shemar by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shemar 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4789 | 6 | 2 |
| 2010s | #4306 | 7 | 2 |
| 2000s | #2581 | 37 | 7 |
Related
Names similar to Shemar
- Samuel 108,505
- Sebastian 33,008
- Sam 20,889
- Stanley 16,354
- Sonny 15,028
- Sean 15,006
- Scott 12,587
- Seth 9,841
- Syed 9,050
- Stephen 8,884
- Spencer 8,333
- Steven 6,970
FAQ
Shemar: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shemar in the UK right now?
In 2022, Shemar was ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Shemar most popular?
The peak year on record was 2003, with 7 babies registered as Shemar in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shemar?
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "handsome man" or "dazzling like the moon".
How many people are called Shemar in the UK?
A total of 50 babies have been registered as Shemar across the 11 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.