Shem Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: Shem //ʃɛm//
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Name; renown
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Shem originates from the Hebrew name שֵׁם (Shem), which means "name" or "renown." In the context of the Hebrew Bible, Shem is one of the three sons of Noah, alongside Ham and Japheth. The etymological roots can be traced back to the ancient Semitic languages, where the concept of a name often carried significant weight, symbolizing identity and legacy.
The name entered the English language through the Latin transliteration 'Shem,' which was derived from the Greek 'Sēm,' used in the Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures completed in the 3rd century BCE. The name was further popularized in the English-speaking world through the King James Bible, published in 1611, which rendered the name as Shem in its Old Testament accounts.
Historically, Shem is recognized as a pivotal figure in biblical genealogy, often associated with the Semitic peoples. His lineage is traditionally believed to include the ancestors of various nations, particularly those of the Hebrew people.
This genealogical significance is underscored in the Book of Genesis, where Shem's descendants are listed, establishing a connection to important biblical figures and events. The name has been referenced in various religious texts and commentaries throughout the centuries, reinforcing its importance in Judeo-Christian traditions.
Culturally, Shem has come to symbolize the idea of a righteous lineage and divine favor, as he is often depicted as the progenitor of the faithful. In Jewish tradition, the name carries connotations of honor and respect, reflecting the esteem in which Shem is held.
The name has also inspired various diminutive forms and related names in different cultures, though its original form remains significant in religious contexts. Overall, Shem's enduring legacy is rooted in its biblical origins and the cultural narratives that have developed around it over millennia.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Shem, 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 Shem. 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 Shem was first seen in the United States in 1954.
Shem has ranked as high as #4909 nationally, which occurred in 1976, and has been most popular in New York, Utah, and California.
In the past 5 years the name Shem has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Shem 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 Shem 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 Shem.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2024 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 2023 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2022 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 2021 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 2020 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2019 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 2018 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 2017 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 2016 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2015 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 2014 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 2013 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 2012 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2011 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2010 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2009 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2008 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2007 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 2006 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 2005 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 2004 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2003 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2002 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2001 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2000 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1999 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1998 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1997 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1996 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1995 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1994 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1993 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1992 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1991 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1990 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1989 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1988 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1987 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1986 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1985 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1984 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1983 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1982 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1981 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1980 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1979 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1978 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 1977 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 1976 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 1975 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1974 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1973 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1972 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1971 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1970 | 13 | 8 | 5 |
| 1969 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1968 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1966 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1965 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1960 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1954 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Top States for Shem (2006)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| UT | 5 |