Shakira Girl

Popularity: #936 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: sha-KEE-rah //ʃəˈkiːrə//

Origin: Arabic; Spanish

Meaning: Arabic: grateful; Spanish: she who is grateful

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Shakira has its roots in the Arabic language, derived from the word "shakirah," which means "thankful" or "grateful." This etymology reflects a broader cultural significance, as gratitude is a valued virtue in many societies. The name was introduced into the Spanish-speaking world through the influence of Arabic culture in Spain, particularly during the period of Al-Andalus, which lasted from the 8th to the 15th centuries.

The integration of Arabic names into Spanish was facilitated by the historical interactions between the two cultures, leading to a rich tapestry of linguistic exchange. Shakira is also associated with the notable Colombian singer and songwriter Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, born in 1977, who has brought international attention to the name.

While the name itself does not appear in historical texts or religious scriptures like some other names, its cultural resonance has been shaped significantly by her global influence in music and philanthropy. The name has thus become emblematic of Latin American culture and artistry, particularly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

In terms of symbolic associations, the name Shakira embodies themes of joy and appreciation, reflecting the positive connotations of its meaning. The name's melodic quality and rhythmic pronunciation contribute to its appeal in various cultural contexts.

Although diminutive forms of Shakira are not widely documented, the name's unique sound and meaning have allowed it to stand alone, maintaining its distinctiveness in a globalized world. Overall, Shakira represents a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural significance that transcends its Arabic origins.

Famous people named Shakira

In this section, you will find notable people named Shakira. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Shakira who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Shakira who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Shakira is a singer and songwriter best known for Hips Don't Lie, Whenever, Wherever, and Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Shakira, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

SofiaIsabellaGabrielaLuciaValentina

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Shakira. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

ShanayaSaharaSarinaSamiraShaniceShiraShanell

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Shakira was first seen in the United States in 1970.

Shakira has ranked as high as #990 nationally, which occurred in 2002, and has been most popular in New York, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.

In the past 5 years the name Shakira has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Shakira is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Shakira was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Shakira.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 12 12
2024 16 16
2023 13 13
2022 17 17
2021 21 21
2020 25 25
2019 28 28
2018 31 31
2017 23 23
2016 28 28
2015 56 56
2014 61 61
2013 60 60
2012 55 55
2011 82 82
2010 125 125
2009 153 153
2008 134 134
2007 244 244
2006 353 353
2005 220 220
2004 190 190
2003 337 337
2002 512 512
2001 269 269
2000 263 263
1999 256 256
1998 247 247
1997 383 383
1996 347 347
1995 263 263
1994 280 280
1993 260 260
1992 285 285
1991 257 257
1990 219 219
1989 181 181
1988 156 156
1987 184 184
1986 136 136
1985 133 133
1984 139 139
1983 147 147
1982 179 179
1981 116 116
1980 98 98
1979 98 98
1978 106 106
1977 120 120
1976 116 116
1975 62 62
1974 67 67
1973 74 74
1972 20 20
1971 7 7
1970 12 12

Top States for Shakira (2020)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 5
100%