Shem
3 countries#7679 in United States, 2025Popularity across 3 countries
Each line is scaled to its own peak, so you can compare when Shem was in fashion in each country, whatever the population size.
Country by country
🇺🇸 United States
755 births recorded 1954–2025 · currently #7679 · peaked in 1976 with 23 births
Most common in: New York, Utah, California
Source: Social Security Administration, official birth-registration data
🏴🏴 England & Wales
89 births recorded 1996–2018 · peaked in 1998 with 10 births
Source: Office for National Statistics, official birth-registration data
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
89 births recorded 1996–2018 · peaked in 1998 with 10 births (England & Wales + Scotland + Northern Ireland combined)
Source: ONS, National Records of Scotland & NISRA (combined), official birth-registration data
🇫🇷 France
6 births recorded 2015–2022 · currently #5416 · peaked in 2015 with 3 births
Source: INSEE, official birth-registration data
United States rank history
Shem’s rank among boys’ names, most recent 20 years on record.
| Year | Rank | vs. prior yr |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | #5781 | — |
| 2007 | #6262 | ↓481 |
| 2008 | #9019 | ↓2757 |
| 2009 | #7692 | ↑1327 |
| 2010 | #9693 | ↓2001 |
| 2011 | #9600 | ↑93 |
| 2012 | #9709 | ↓109 |
| 2013 | #5404 | ↑4305 |
| 2014 | #5485 | ↓81 |
| 2015 | #5289 | ↑196 |
| 2016 | #7157 | ↓1868 |
| 2017 | #5526 | ↑1631 |
| 2018 | #5320 | ↑206 |
| 2019 | #5555 | ↓235 |
| 2020 | #6620 | ↓1065 |
| 2021 | #6335 | ↑285 |
| 2022 | #5445 | ↑890 |
| 2023 | #6897 | ↓1452 |
| 2024 | #6469 | ↑428 |
| 2025 | #7679 | ↓1210 |
Frequently asked questions about Shem
Is Shem a popular name?
Yes — Shem currently ranks #7679 among boys’ names in United States as of 2025, based on official birth records.
Is Shem more common for boys or girls?
Shem is recorded predominantly as a boys’ name in official United States birth data.
When was Shem most popular?
Shem peaked in 1976 in United States, with 23 recorded births that year.
Is Shem rising or falling in popularity?
In United States, Shem’s popularity is falling — its rank has slipped from #3827 in 1954 to #7679 in 2025.
How many babies have been named Shem?
At least 850 babies have been recorded with the name Shem across official birth statistics in 3 countries.
Is Shem popular in more than one country?
Yes — Shem appears in official birth records in 3 countries: United States, England & Wales, France.
What names are similar in popularity to Shem?
Based on real 2025 ranking data in United States, names ranked closest to Shem include Shaye, Shemar.
Similar names right now
Ranked directly next to Shem in United States, 2025 — a real popularity match, not a subjective list.