How Many People Are Named Shem?
Complete statistics for the name Shem: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Shem means 'name' in Hebrew and is very rare, with only 709 people named Shem living in the US today, making up just 1 in 465,634 Americans. The majority of Shems are under 30, giving it a genuinely modern feel.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 9 symbolizes humanitarianism and spiritual enlightenment.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 32All 745 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1976Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Shem Through the Generations
Shem, a name steeped in biblical origins, has seen a resurgence in recent years, with its peak popularity occurring in 1976 when 23 babies were given this name. Today, the average age of those named Shem is 32, with a significant portion, 46%, being under 30. This indicates that Shem is becoming increasingly popular among younger parents, contributing to its rising trend status.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Shem
Shem is a masculine given name that may refer to the following notable people:Shem Tov, multiple people Shem Bageine, Ugandan politician Shem Delaney, Irish hurler Shem Downey (1922–2013), Irish hurler Shem Drowne (1683–1774), American coppersmith and tinplate worker Shem Kororia, Kenyan long-distance runner Shem Ngoche, Kenyan cricketer Shem Ochuodho, Kenyan politician Shem Tatupu, Samoan rugby league and rugby union footballer…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Shem's Hebrew roots
📄 About the Name Shem
How Many People Have the Name Shem?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 204 people in the United States currently share the name Shem. That works out to roughly 1 in every 1,624,751 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Shem a Common or Rare Name?
Shem is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Shem Mean?
Shem means "name" and comes from Hebrew origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 9.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Shem in SSA data, approximately 99% are male and 1% are female.
When Was Shem Most Popular?
The name Shem reached peak popularity in 1976, with 23 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Shem?
Approximately 204 people named Shem live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 204. That works out to roughly 1 in 1,624,751 Americans.
Is Shem a rare name?
Shem is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 1,624,751 Americans has this name.
What does the name Shem mean?
Shem means "name" and comes from Hebrew origins.
Is Shem more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 99% of people named Shem are male and 1% are female.
When was Shem most popular?
Shem peaked in 1976 with 23 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.