Shakela is a name of African origin, derived from the Swahili word "shikamoo," which means "I bow down." This name has a deep sense of respect and reverence attached to it, reflecting its African heritage.
The name Shakela first gained popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, likely introduced by African immigrants or African Americans seeking to connect with their roots. However, its exact history is not well-documented, as many names of African origin were passed down orally through generations before being recorded.
Despite its relatively recent introduction into Western culture, Shakela has a rich historical context. In Swahili culture, the act of bowing down or showing respect is an important aspect of greeting elders and those in positions of authority. Therefore, the name Shakela carries with it a sense of dignity and tradition.
Today, Shakela remains a unique and distinctive name, often chosen by parents seeking to give their child a name with deep cultural significance. While its exact origin may be difficult to trace, the meaning behind Shakela – "I bow down" – is clear and holds true to its African roots.
The given statistics show the number of babies named Shakela born in the United States each year from 1975 to 2001. Over this period, there were a total of 456 births.
From 1975 to 1986, the popularity of the name Shakela increased steadily, with a significant jump from 25 births in 1985 to 37 births in 1986. However, this trend reversed after 1986, and the number of babies named Shakela born each year began to decline.
In the early 1990s, there was another increase in popularity for the name Shakela, with a peak of 57 births in 1991 and 55 births in 1992. But this period of increased popularity was short-lived, and by 1994, the number of babies named Shakela born each year had dropped significantly to just 22.
From 1994 onwards, the popularity of the name Shakela continued to decline steadily, reaching a low point of five births in both 1998 and 1999. Although there was a slight increase in popularity in the early 2000s, with six babies named Shakela born in both 2000 and 2001, overall the name's popularity had significantly decreased compared to its peak years.
Overall, these statistics show that while the name Shakela enjoyed some periods of popularity during the late 1970s, early 1980s, and early 1990s, it has since declined in popularity among parents naming their newborn daughters.