Fun Facts About the Name Shaka
- 839 babies named Shaka: U.S. records list 839 babies given the name Shaka from 1880 through 2025. Even 142 girls received the name Shaka - about 1 girl for every 5 boys.
What Does the Name Shaka Mean?
Shaka is a Zulu name from southern Africa. A traditional explanation connects it with the Zulu word ishaka, often translated as 'beetle'; the initial i- is a noun prefix, and the personal name drops it. The explanation is linked to a story about Nandi, mother of the Zulu king Shaka, but it is not a securely documented etymology.
The name is distinct from the Hawaiian word shaka, which refers to a hand gesture and greeting. The two words resemble each other but belong to different languages and have separate histories.
Shaka Name History & Origins
Shaka is historically associated with Shaka kaSenzangakhona, the Zulu king who was born in the late eighteenth century and ruled from about 1816 until his death in 1828. In his full name, kaSenzangakhona means 'son of Senzangakhona'; ka- is a patronymic marker, so the given name itself is simply Shaka. Accounts of his life come from Zulu oral tradition and from nineteenth-century written records made by traders, missionaries, and colonial officials.
As a personal name, Shaka belongs to Zulu naming practice rather than to an English or European name stock. It is not a variant of a similar-looking European name. In English-language contexts, the name is most often encountered in histories of the Zulu kingdom and in references to the king.
How Popular is the Name Shaka?
Shaka has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1987. Its best rank was #1,539 in 1977.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | #15,332 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1991 | #12,807 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1990 | #9,981 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1989 | #10,621 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1988 | #6,197 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1987 | #5,559 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1986 | #9,361 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1984 | #10,119 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1982 | #7,349 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1981 | #6,715 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1980 | #5,837 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1979 | #6,076 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 1978 | #7,499 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1977 | #7,426 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1976 | #5,130 | 12 | 0.0008% |
| 1975 | #8,815 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #13,591 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2024 | #7,168 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2022 | #6,096 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 2021 | #6,289 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 2020 | #6,233 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 2019 | #8,754 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2017 | #7,462 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2016 | #7,523 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2015 | #13,723 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2014 | #9,481 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2012 | #10,577 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2011 | #8,653 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2010 | #7,497 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2008 | #10,843 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 2006 | #13,682 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 2005 | #13,041 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2002 | #9,230 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2001 | #12,023 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2000 | #6,747 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1999 | #4,128 | 18 | 0.0009% |
| 1998 | #6,751 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1997 | #5,592 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1996 | #4,158 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 1995 | #4,237 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 1994 | #3,726 | 18 | 0.0009% |
| 1993 | #3,350 | 20 | 0.0010% |
| 1992 | #2,811 | 25 | 0.0013% |
| 1991 | #2,815 | 24 | 0.0012% |
| 1990 | #3,147 | 20 | 0.0010% |
| 1989 | #2,878 | 22 | 0.0011% |
| 1988 | #1,906 | 35 | 0.0018% |
| 1987 | #1,731 | 39 | 0.0021% |
| 1986 | #4,084 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1985 | #5,674 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1984 | #4,894 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1983 | #3,836 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1982 | #2,583 | 19 | 0.0010% |
| 1981 | #4,437 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1980 | #2,518 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 1979 | #2,759 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 1978 | #2,364 | 20 | 0.0012% |
| 1977 | #1,539 | 37 | 0.0023% |
| 1976 | #1,989 | 25 | 0.0016% |
| 1975 | #2,438 | 18 | 0.0012% |
| 1974 | #2,116 | 21 | 0.0013% |
| 1973 | #2,837 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 1972 | #4,896 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1971 | #3,905 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1970 | #5,324 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Shaka Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are spiritually intense and can sting or charm. Your name brings love and new starts into life and attracts money. In business, you are the creator and promoter of original ideas and usually enjoy considerable financial success. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.
✦ Shaka's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Shaka's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.