Shareka Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: sha-REE-kah //ʃəˈriːkə//
Origin: African; Arabic
Meaning: African: 'to share'; Arabic: 'gift'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Shareka has uncertain etymological roots, but it is often considered a modern variation of the name Shereen, which has Persian origins meaning 'sweet' or 'charming.' The name Shereen can be traced back to ancient Persian literature, where it appears in the romantic epic of Khosrow and Shirin, dating back to the 12th century. This literary connection has contributed to the name's cultural significance in Persian-speaking regions and among communities influenced by Persian culture.
As Shareka emerged as a distinct name, it likely gained traction in the late 20th century, particularly within African American communities in the United States. The name's phonetic structure, which incorporates the familiar 'sha-' prefix, aligns it with other names that have gained popularity in similar contexts, reflecting a broader trend of creating unique names that resonate with cultural identity and personal expression.
The use of 'ka' as a suffix can also be seen in various names across different cultures, often signifying a feminine form or a diminutive. Culturally, Shareka may evoke themes of beauty and charm, drawing from its possible connections to Shereen.
Names that carry such meanings often hold a special place in familial and social contexts, symbolizing affection and positive attributes. While Shareka itself may not have historical figures or saints associated with it, its roots in Persian literature and the broader context of name creation in modern times contribute to its significance as a name that embodies cultural heritage and individuality.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Shareka, 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 Shareka. 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 Shareka was first seen in the United States in 1972.
Shareka has ranked as high as #3064 nationally, which occurred in 1986, and has been most popular in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, and South Carolina.
In the past 5 years the name Shareka has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Shareka 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 Shareka 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 Shareka.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 6 | 6 |
| 1998 | 7 | 7 |
| 1997 | 6 | 6 |
| 1996 | 15 | 15 |
| 1995 | 12 | 12 |
| 1994 | 9 | 9 |
| 1993 | 21 | 21 |
| 1992 | 30 | 30 |
| 1991 | 42 | 42 |
| 1990 | 34 | 34 |
| 1989 | 39 | 39 |
| 1988 | 49 | 49 |
| 1987 | 48 | 48 |
| 1986 | 58 | 58 |
| 1985 | 52 | 52 |
| 1984 | 54 | 54 |
| 1983 | 44 | 44 |
| 1982 | 40 | 40 |
| 1981 | 46 | 46 |
| 1980 | 51 | 51 |
| 1979 | 35 | 35 |
| 1978 | 22 | 22 |
| 1977 | 21 | 21 |
| 1976 | 19 | 19 |
| 1975 | 15 | 15 |
| 1974 | 9 | 9 |
| 1973 | 5 | 5 |
| 1972 | 6 | 6 |
Top States for Shareka (1992)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| NC | 6 | |
| GA | 5 |