Sheila
Sheila: name meaning, origin and popularity
Meaning and origin of Sheila
- A female given name from Irish, popular in the UK from the 1920s to the 1950s; variant forms Shelagh, Sheelagh, Sheilagh, Sheela, Sile.
Etymology
Anglicized spelling of Irish Síle, equivalent to Cecilia. Doublet of Cecilia.
How popular is Sheila?
Since 1880, 238,774 girls and 648 boys in the U.S. have been named Sheila (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #50 in 1963. Its highest rank for boys was #1475 in 1962. In 2025, 65 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Sheila
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Irish girl names
Sibling name ideas for Sheila
Sister and brother names that share Sheila's Irish roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Sheila FAQ
What does the name Sheila mean?
A female given name from Irish, popular in the UK from the 1920s to the 1950s; variant forms Shelagh, Sheelagh, Sheilagh, Sheela, Sile. Anglicized spelling of Irish Síle, equivalent to Cecilia. Doublet of Cecilia.
What is the origin of the name Sheila?
Sheila is listed as a name of Irish origin.
How popular is the name Sheila?
Since 1880, 238,774 girls and 648 boys in the U.S. have been named Sheila (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #50 in 1963. Its highest rank for boys was #1475 in 1962. In 2025, 65 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Sheila a boy or girl name?
Sheila is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 238,774 girls and 648 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.