NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Shima

A feminine Japanese name meaning "island" or "striped pattern".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2008. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Shima is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Shima popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2008 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5545, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 4 births.

This profile covers 20 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 1996 to 2008. 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 20 living people in the UK are called Shima. 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 2009 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Shima ranked #5545 for girls in England and Wales in 2008, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2003, when 4 girls were registered as Shima.
  • About 20 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shima as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5545

2008

Births in 2008

3

Latest year

Peak year

2003

4 births

Estimated living

20

2026

Meaning

What does Shima mean?

The name Shima is believed to have originated from the Japanese language, with its roots tracing back to ancient times. It is thought to be derived from the word "shima," which means "island" or "stripe" in Japanese. This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with people living on islands or those involved in textile-related professions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shima can be found in the Kojiki, an ancient Japanese chronicle dating back to the 8th century AD. In this text, Shima is mentioned as the name of a mythological figure, suggesting the name's deep-rooted connection to Japanese culture and folklore.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Shima. One such person was Shima Sakon (1540-1616), a prominent Japanese samurai and military commander who served under the powerful Tokugawa Shogunate. His bravery and loyalty earned him a respected place in the annals of Japanese history.

Another individual of note was Shima Kosaku (1781-1860), a Japanese mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics. His work on the calculation of planetary orbits and the development of mathematical theories earned him recognition both within Japan and abroad.

In the realm of literature, Shima Tetsuro (1901-1987) was a renowned Japanese novelist and poet. His works often explored themes of social justice and the human condition, earning him numerous literary awards and accolades during his lifetime.

Moving into the modern era, Shima Masahiko (1940-2022) was a highly regarded Japanese architect and designer. His innovative designs, which incorporated traditional Japanese elements with modern aesthetics, garnered international acclaim and left a lasting impact on the architectural landscape.

Lastly, Shima Iwao (1938-2020) was a prominent Japanese businessman and entrepreneur. As the founder of the successful outdoor apparel company, Goldwin Inc., he played a significant role in popularizing and promoting outdoor activities and clothing in Japan.

These individuals, spanning various fields and time periods, illustrate the rich history and diverse backgrounds associated with the name Shima. While its origins can be traced back to ancient Japan, the name has transcended cultural boundaries and left an indelible mark across various disciplines throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Shima over time

The chart below shows babies named Shima registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2008. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Shima, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2008, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Shima
01234199620022008

Decades

Shima by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shima 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 #4194 14 4
1990s #3810 6 2

Related

Names similar to Shima

FAQ

Shima: questions and answers

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

In 2008, Shima was ranked #5545 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Shima most popular?

The peak year on record was 2003, with 4 babies registered as Shima in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Shima?

A feminine Japanese name meaning "island" or "striped pattern".

How many people are called Shima in the UK?

A total of 20 babies have been registered as Shima across the 6 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.