Shakirah Girl

Popularity: · Trend: → Stable

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: sha-KEER-ah /ʃəˈkɪərə/

Origin: Arabic; Swahili

Meaning: Arabic: grateful; Swahili: one who is thankful

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Shakirah has its roots in Arabic, derived from the word "shakir," which means "thankful" or "grateful." The feminine form, Shakirah, embodies the same essence of gratitude and appreciation. The name has been adopted into various cultures, often reflecting the values of thankfulness and humility that are significant in many societies.

The transition of the name into English-speaking contexts likely occurred through the influence of Arabic culture and language, particularly during periods of trade and cultural exchange, such as the Middle Ages when Arabic scholarship was highly regarded in Europe. Historically, the concept of gratitude has been a prominent theme in various religious texts and traditions.

In Islamic culture, the notion of being thankful is deeply embedded in the faith, with the Quran emphasizing gratitude as a virtue. This cultural significance has contributed to the name's endurance across generations.

While specific historical figures named Shakirah may not be widely documented, the name's roots in a language that has influenced many others, including Persian and Turkish, highlight its broader cultural resonance. The name Shakirah, while not as commonly referenced in historical texts as some other names, carries with it a sense of dignity and moral virtue.

It aligns with the values of many communities that prioritize gratitude as a fundamental aspect of character. The name may also be associated with various diminutive forms or variations, such as Shakira, which have appeared in different cultures, further illustrating the adaptability and enduring nature of the name.

Overall, Shakirah represents a rich linguistic and cultural heritage that emphasizes the importance of thankfulness.

Sibling suggestions

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

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Shakirah. 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.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Shakirah was first seen in the United States in 1976.

Shakirah has ranked as high as #4608 nationally, which occurred in 1992, and has been most popular in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Georgia, and North Carolina.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Shakirah 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 Shakirah 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 Shakirah.

Year Total Births Girl
2018 6 6
2016 5 5
2013 6 6
2012 5 5
2011 7 7
2010 7 7
2009 10 10
2008 10 10
2007 13 13
2006 15 15
2005 20 20
2004 18 18
2003 26 26
2002 35 35
2001 25 25
2000 25 25
1999 21 21
1998 21 21
1997 25 25
1996 38 38
1995 32 32
1994 39 39
1993 41 41
1992 42 42
1991 26 26
1990 28 28
1989 26 26
1988 20 20
1987 18 18
1986 31 31
1985 15 15
1984 29 29
1983 23 23
1982 22 22
1981 13 13
1980 27 27
1979 12 12
1978 12 12
1977 9 9
1976 5 5

Top States for Shakirah (1996)

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
NY 6
50%
PA 6
50%