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Shem
OriginHebrew
Meaning"name"
GenderBoy & girl
US rank · girlsUnranked
Below 5 births
US rank · boys#8147
2025 SSA
About Shem
This down-to-earth Bible name is surprisingly little-used, considering the popularity of other Old Testament names. Shem was Noah's eldest son, and is the origin of the term Semitic (as in the language family).
By contrast, the Dutch form Sem is a Top 10 name in the Netherlands.
Shem is also given to girls.
Pronounced SHEM.
As of October 2026, Shem ranked #9096 in US births in 1970 SSA.
Popularity & trends
US popularity — history
US rank, lower is more popular · SSA data 2014–2025
Actual · SSA
20142025
18802025
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | 0 |
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Shem.
Shem on lists
Famous Shems
- ShemBoy
Biblical son of Noah
- Shem von SchroeckBoy
American musician
Shem in pop culture
- Shem HaMephorashBoy
"the explicit Name [of God]" in the Kabbalah
- "Hawks over ShemBoy
" 1955 Conan the Barbarian novelette by L. Sprague de Camp
- Shem Creek in CharlestonBoy
South Carolina
Variations & nicknames
Shem in blog posts
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