Shelsea is a unique and captivating female given name of English origin. The name is derived from the Old English word "sċēalc", which means "shelter" or "hideout". This name has a rich history dating back to medieval times, where it was often used as a surname rather than a given name.
In the past, Shelsea was primarily associated with the Shelsey family of Norfolk, England. The Shelsey family was known for their prominence in local politics and social circles during the Tudor era. It is believed that the name evolved from an Old English personal name, Scelca, which means "happy" or "lucky".
Over time, Shelsea has evolved into a given name for females. Today, it is often considered to be a variant of the more common name, Chelsea. While both names share a similar origin and meaning, Shelsea tends to be less popular than its counterpart.
Despite its rarity, Shelsea remains an intriguing and distinctive name choice. Its historical roots and unique spelling set it apart from other female names. For parents seeking a name that is both meaningful and uncommon, Shelsea may be the perfect fit.
The name Shelsea has seen a varied trend of popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1971 and 2021, there were a total of 646 babies named Shelsea born in the U.S.
The name first started to gain some traction in the early 80s with 5 births each in 1982, 1983, and 1984. It then experienced a significant increase in popularity throughout the late 80s and early 90s, peaking at 36 births in 1997.
This trend of increased popularity continued into the new millennium with consistent numbers of babies named Shelsea born each year until around 2005. However, since then, the name's popularity has seen a steady decline, with only 5 births recorded in both 2015 and 2021.
Despite this recent decrease in popularity, it is clear that the name Shelsea has had its moments of prominence throughout the years in the United States. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues or changes in the coming years.