Fun Facts About the Name Shem
- 755 babies named Shem: U.S. records list 755 babies given the name Shem from 1880 through 2025. Even 5 girls received the name Shem - about 1 girl for every 150 boys.
What Does the Name Shem Mean?
Shem is a Hebrew name meaning "name." It comes from the Hebrew noun שֵׁם (shem), which literally means "name" and also carries the sense of "reputation" or "renown." The usual gloss "renown" is an extension of the literal meaning, not a separate origin. In the Hebrew Bible the name is borne by Noah's son Shem, and Noah's blessing in Genesis 9:26, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem," uses the name directly.
Shem Name History & Origins
Shem is one of Noah's three sons in the Hebrew Bible, along with Ham and Japheth (Genesis 5:32; 6:10; 9:18). He is listed among those who entered the ark, and after the flood Noah blesses "the God of Shem" (Genesis 9:26). The Table of Nations in Genesis 10 traces various peoples to Shem's sons - Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram - and Genesis 11 follows the line from Arpachshad through Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, and Terah to Abram.
The name passed into Greek as Σήμ (Sēm) and into Latin as Sem. English Bibles, including the King James Version, use the form Shem. The linguistic label "Semitic" comes from Shem's name through those classical forms; it names a language family, not a direct biological line from Shem.
In Jewish tradition, rabbinic literature sometimes identifies Shem with Melchizedek, the king of Salem who blessed Abram in Genesis 14. This identification is traditional and is not stated in the biblical text. In Islamic tradition, Shem is known as Sām and is counted among Noah's sons in later genealogical accounts. The name has also been used as a personal name in Jewish and Christian communities.
How Popular is the Name Shem?
Shem 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 1976. Its best rank was #2,104 in 1976.
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 | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | #9,096 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #8,147 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2024 | #6,750 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2023 | #7,229 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2022 | #5,599 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 2021 | #6,614 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 2020 | #6,974 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2019 | #5,755 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 2018 | #5,504 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2017 | #5,743 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 2016 | #7,527 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2015 | #5,479 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2014 | #5,676 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 2013 | #5,614 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 2012 | #10,584 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2011 | #10,598 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2010 | #10,580 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2009 | #8,203 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2008 | #9,725 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2007 | #6,547 | 13 | 0.0006% |
| 2006 | #6,047 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 2005 | #5,534 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2004 | #6,457 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 2003 | #6,652 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2002 | #6,970 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2001 | #10,359 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2000 | #5,260 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 1999 | #5,601 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 1998 | #5,776 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1997 | #9,096 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1996 | #7,020 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1995 | #4,744 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1994 | #6,277 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1993 | #5,712 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1992 | #4,536 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1991 | #3,792 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 1990 | #4,633 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 1989 | #7,766 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1988 | #3,503 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 1987 | #3,479 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 1986 | #4,415 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1985 | #5,075 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1984 | #4,161 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1983 | #3,051 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 1982 | #2,807 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 1981 | #2,662 | 18 | 0.0010% |
| 1980 | #4,087 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1979 | #3,146 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1978 | #2,119 | 23 | 0.0014% |
| 1977 | #2,259 | 21 | 0.0013% |
| 1976 | #2,104 | 23 | 0.0015% |
| 1975 | #3,056 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 1974 | #3,097 | 12 | 0.0008% |
| 1973 | #2,497 | 16 | 0.0010% |
| 1972 | #2,313 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 1971 | #3,614 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1970 | #3,788 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1969 | #3,548 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1968 | #3,071 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1966 | #3,496 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1965 | #3,867 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1960 | #3,991 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1954 | #4,294 | 5 | 0.0002% |
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 Shem 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 have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
You desire to inspire and lead, to control other's affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented,energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.
✦ Shem's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Shem's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.