Sheela Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SHEE-lah /ˈʃiːlə/
Origin: Sanskrit; Indian
Meaning: Sanskrit: goddess; Indian: she who is prosperous
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Sheela has its roots in the Sanskrit language, where it is derived from the word 'śīla', meaning 'character', 'conduct', or 'virtue'. This term has been an integral part of Indian culture and philosophy, often associated with moral and ethical behavior.
The transition of the name into various cultures can be traced through its adoption in different languages and regions, particularly within South Asia, where it has been embraced in various forms, including Sheela and Shila. Historically, the name Sheela has been associated with several notable figures in Indian literature and mythology.
In Hindu texts, the concept of 'śīla' is often linked to the qualities of a good person, and it is frequently mentioned in religious and philosophical discussions. The name has also been borne by various saints and scholars throughout the centuries, contributing to its significance in spiritual and educational contexts.
The use of the name in literature can be observed in classical texts, where characters embodying virtue and moral integrity are often named Sheela, reinforcing the name's positive connotations. Culturally, Sheela symbolizes purity, righteousness, and moral strength.
It resonates deeply within the traditions of Indian society, where names are often chosen based on their meanings and the virtues they represent. The name has been celebrated in various forms of art, music, and dance, reflecting its enduring presence in cultural narratives.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as Sheila have emerged in different contexts, showcasing the name's adaptability across cultures. Overall, Sheela remains a name rich in historical and cultural significance, embodying values that have been cherished throughout the ages.
Famous people named Sheela
In this section, you will find notable people named Sheela. 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 Sheela who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Sheela 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.
Sheela Birnstiel is a spiritual teacher best known for her work with the Rajneesh movement and her teachings on meditation.
Sheela Sharma is a chef best known for her appearances on cooking shows and her culinary expertise in Indian cuisine.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Sheela, 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 Sheela. 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 Sheela was first seen in the United States in 1943.
Sheela has ranked as high as #1138 nationally, which occurred in 1988, and has been most popular in California, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Sheela has been trending about the same compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Sheela 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 Sheela was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Sheela (1991)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
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 Sheela.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 1998 | 7 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1995 | 9 |
| 1994 | 11 |
| 1993 | 10 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1991 | 11 |
| 1990 | 15 |
| 1989 | 18 |
| 1988 | 27 |
| 1987 | 18 |
| 1986 | 25 |
| 1985 | 21 |
| 1984 | 20 |
| 1983 | 15 |
| 1982 | 12 |
| 1981 | 12 |
| 1980 | 15 |
| 1979 | 16 |
| 1978 | 19 |
| 1977 | 10 |
| 1976 | 11 |
| 1975 | 17 |
| 1974 | 9 |
| 1973 | 19 |
| 1972 | 15 |
| 1971 | 8 |
| 1970 | 14 |
| 1969 | 9 |
| 1968 | 13 |
| 1967 | 8 |
| 1966 | 13 |
| 1965 | 19 |
| 1964 | 11 |
| 1963 | 8 |
| 1962 | 16 |
| 1961 | 9 |
| 1960 | 9 |
| 1959 | 19 |
| 1958 | 13 |
| 1957 | 14 |
| 1956 | 11 |
| 1955 | 5 |
| 1954 | 10 |
| 1953 | 12 |
| 1952 | 8 |
| 1951 | 6 |
| 1950 | 7 |
| 1949 | 8 |
| 1948 | 10 |
| 1947 | 7 |
| 1946 | 11 |
| 1943 | 7 |