Fun Facts About the Name Shilah
- 917 babies named Shilah: U.S. records list 917 babies given the name Shilah from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Shilah Mean?
Shilah is a feminine given name in English. It is usually treated as a variant spelling of Shiloh, a Hebrew place name and biblical term. Shiloh is often glossed as "tranquil" or "at peace," but that is a traditional interpretation rather than a securely reconstructed literal meaning; the etymology of the biblical word is disputed. Because Shilah is an English spelling rather than an ancient Hebrew form, its meaning is not securely fixed.
The similar Irish name Sheila comes from Síle, a Gaelic form of Latin Caecilia, and the Sanskrit name Shila means "conduct" or "virtue." Neither is a documented source for Shilah; their resemblance to it is not evidence of a shared origin. The usual explanation of Shilah therefore depends on the uncertain link to Shiloh.
Shilah Name History & Origins
The Hebrew name Shiloh is best known as a town in the territory of Ephraim where the Ark of the Covenant was kept before its capture by the Philistines. The same Hebrew form appears in Genesis 49:10, "until Shiloh comes," a phrase given messianic interpretations in later Jewish and Christian tradition. Whether the place name and the Genesis phrase are related, and what either means, is debated.
In English, Shiloh has also been used as a personal name, and Shilah is often treated as one of its feminine spellings. The spelling follows the English practice of using -ah for feminine forms and is close to Shyla, a modern feminine name with its own uncertain derivation. Shilah is not the biblical Hebrew form of Shiloh; it is an English-language rendering. A connection with the Irish name Sheila is sometimes proposed because of the similar sound, but no documented derivation establishes that Shilah descends from it.
How Popular is the Name Shilah?
Shilah 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 2007. Its best rank was #2,853 in 2007.
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 | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #6,085 | 20 | 0.0012% |
| 2024 | #8,853 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2023 | #8,894 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2022 | #13,378 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2021 | #6,923 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 2020 | #8,337 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2019 | #9,647 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 2018 | #7,710 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 2017 | #8,717 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2016 | #10,740 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2015 | #5,272 | 26 | 0.0015% |
| 2014 | #8,430 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 2013 | #5,458 | 25 | 0.0014% |
| 2012 | #5,382 | 26 | 0.0015% |
| 2011 | #4,667 | 31 | 0.0018% |
| 2010 | #3,806 | 41 | 0.0023% |
| 2009 | #3,352 | 50 | 0.0027% |
| 2008 | #3,051 | 57 | 0.0030% |
| 2007 | #2,853 | 64 | 0.0033% |
| 2006 | #4,349 | 34 | 0.0018% |
| 2005 | #8,266 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 2004 | #7,038 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2003 | #7,530 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2002 | #6,352 | 18 | 0.0010% |
| 2001 | #6,584 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2000 | #5,669 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 1999 | #4,850 | 23 | 0.0013% |
| 1998 | #5,100 | 21 | 0.0012% |
| 1997 | #4,982 | 21 | 0.0012% |
| 1996 | #5,737 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 1995 | #8,660 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1994 | #5,675 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 1993 | #6,216 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 1992 | #7,003 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1991 | #10,124 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1990 | #5,800 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 1989 | #7,940 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1988 | #8,299 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1987 | #11,094 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1986 | #8,400 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1985 | #6,403 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1984 | #10,198 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1983 | #4,451 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 1982 | #5,486 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 1981 | #5,839 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1980 | #4,486 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 1979 | #7,223 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 1978 | #6,854 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 1977 | #5,481 | 12 | 0.0008% |
| 1976 | #5,545 | 11 | 0.0008% |
| 1974 | #7,550 | 7 | 0.0005% |
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 Shilah 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 intuitive and might be interested in the arts, drama or science.
Creative and outgoing, you are always looking for an opportunity to show your abilities, especially before audience. You are very flexible and like to feel appreciated. You are looking for chances to mix with others socially and to communicate your ideas. You like to talk and can easily relate to different cultures and concepts. The biggest challenge for you is uncertainty. Easily getting bored, you can move from one job to another, switch projects and lovers. The high creative force can lead you either to happiness or unhappiness. If you understand your goals, if you can make major decisions in life and follow it directly and straight up without worry and uncertainty, you are able to achieve great heights.
✦ Shilah's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Shilah's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.