Sham Unisex

Popularity: #923 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SHAM //ʃæm//

Origin: Hebrew; Arabic

Meaning: Hebrew: 'name'; Arabic: 'to be safe'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Sham has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the word "sham" (שָׁם), which translates to "there" or "place." This term has been used in various contexts within Hebrew scripture, often indicating a location or a point of reference. The name's journey into English can be traced through the transliteration of Hebrew texts, particularly during the periods of biblical translations and the spread of Jewish culture, where it retained its original meaning while being adapted into different linguistic forms.

Historically, the name Sham is associated with various figures in Jewish tradition, including references in the Hebrew Bible. Although not a prominent name in biblical narratives, its use in religious texts and teachings has contributed to its significance within Jewish culture.

The name has also appeared in various translations of the Bible, which have influenced its perception and usage over the centuries. The King James Bible, published in the early 17th century, helped to popularize many biblical names and terms, although Sham itself is not directly mentioned as a personal name in this translation.

Culturally, Sham carries connotations of place and belonging, resonating with themes of identity and location in religious and historical contexts. This symbolic association with a specific place or state of being has allowed the name to endure in various forms across cultures.

While Sham may not have a widely recognized diminutive or variant, its simplicity and directness contribute to its lasting appeal in certain communities, particularly those with ties to Hebrew heritage.

Sibling suggestions

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

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Sham was first seen in the United States in 1972.

Sham has ranked as high as #7309 nationally, which occurred in 2018, and has been most popular in Texas, and Illinois.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Sham 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 Sham 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 Sham.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 25 0 25
2024 15 0 15
2023 14 0 14
2022 11 0 11
2021 9 0 9
2020 13 0 13
2019 15 0 15
2018 33 0 33
2017 21 0 21
2016 16 0 16
2015 24 5 19
2014 14 0 14
2013 14 0 14
2012 10 0 10
2007 5 0 5
2006 6 6 0
2001 6 0 6
1999 5 5 0
1984 6 6 0
1974 8 8 0
1972 6 6 0

Top States for Sham (2024)

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
TX 5
100%