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NamyLab

Shem

male
Updated 6 months ago

Meaning

"Name; Renown"

Biblical name of Noah’s son, from Hebrew tradition and often glossed as name or renown.

Themes:biblicalpatriarchsemitictradition
BiblicalUniqueRare

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Shem

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#6750Ranked nationally
SSA did not record this spelling in the national rankings for the available chart years. Names used fewer than 5 times in a year are omitted from the dataset.

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
Unranked

Shem did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
--

no national rank in 2024

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Shem Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Shem.

8 ideas
shey
Nickname
shem
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shie
Nickname
sho
Nickname
sh
Nickname
SH
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shemie
Nickname
shemy
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Shem

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Shem, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

13 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Shem mean?
Shem means "Name; Renown". Biblical name of Noah’s son, from Hebrew tradition and often glossed as name or renown.
What is the origin of Shem?
Shem is of Hebrew origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Shem?
According to the latest SSA data, Shem is currently ranked #6750 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Shem a boy name?
Shem is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Shem?
Popular nicknames for Shem include shey, shem, shie, sho, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Shem?
There are many names similar to Shem in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginHebrew
Syllables1
Length4 letters
US Rank#6750
Trend→ Stable
Starts withS

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Shem

Shem has Hebrew roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Hebrew baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Shem appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Unique Baby Names and Biblical Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Hebrew Baby Names and Names That Mean Child Of God for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Shem pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Shem beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.