Shekema is a unique and distinctive given name of African origin. It is derived from the Swahili language, which is spoken widely in East Africa. In Swahili, "she" means four and "kema" signifies completeness or perfection.
The name Shekema is believed to have been popularized by the famous Kenyan runner, Shekema Ouma. Born in 1982, Ouma rose to prominence in the early 2000s as a world-class middle-distance runner. She won numerous international competitions and set several records, including a world record for the women's indoor 3000 meters.
Despite its African origin, Shekema is not widely used as a given name within Africa. Instead, it has gained popularity elsewhere, particularly in countries with significant immigrant populations from East Africa, such as the United Kingdom and the United States.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of Shekema as a given name among parents who appreciate its unique sound and cultural significance. However, due to its rarity, it remains distinctive and uncommon compared to other names with African origins that have become more mainstream, such as Aisha or Amara.
As a unisex name, Shekema has been used for both boys and girls. Its meaning of completeness or perfection adds to its allure, as parents often seek names that hold significant meanings for their children. However, it is essential to note that the pronunciation of Shekema may vary depending on regional accents and familiarity with Swahili language phonetics.
In conclusion, Shekema is a unique and distinctive given name of African origin, derived from the Swahili language. Its meaning of completeness or perfection adds to its appeal for parents seeking significant names for their children. Despite its popularity among runners due to Shekema Ouma's achievements, it remains relatively rare compared to other African names, contributing to its uniqueness and exclusivity.
Statistics on the given name Shekema in the United States are as follows:
Over a span of ten years, from 1976 to 1986, there were a total of 30 babies named Shekema born in the U.S. Here's a year-by-year breakdown:
- In 1976, the name Shekema was given to 6 newborns.
- This number remained steady at 6 births in 1981.
- The following year, in 1983, saw a slight decrease with only 5 babies named Shekema.
- However, there was an increase in popularity in 1984, with 8 babies being given this name.
- Finally, in 1986, the number of births returned to 5.
These statistics show that while Shekema was not a very common name during this period, it did have some years where its usage was more frequent than others.