Shem
Shem is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Name, fame, or renown.
Origin and history
Shem is a biblical name of Hebrew origin meaning 'name' or 'renown'. In the Old Testament, Shem is one of the sons of Noah, traditionally regarded as the ancestor of the Semitic peoples. It remains a rare but historically significant choice in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
750 babies in the United States have been named Shem since 1880. It ranks #3926 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1850.
States where it is most popular
- NY (50 %)
- UT (33.3 %)
- CA (16.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 5 |
| 1960-1970 | 36 |
| 1970-1980 | 156 |
| 1980-1990 | 123 |
| 1990-2000 | 110 |
| 2000-2010 | 113 |
| 2010-2019 | 130 |
| 2020-2029 | 77 |
Fun facts
- The term 'Semitic' derives directly from the name Shem, who was traditionally viewed as the ancestor of these language groups.
- According to the Book of Genesis, Shem lived to be 600 years old and was blessed by his father Noah after the flood.