The name Shad is of Arabic origin and its meaning is "intelligence" or "wise". It is a name that has been used throughout history in various cultures.
In Arabic, the name Shad is derived from the word "shidda", which means intelligence or wisdom. This makes it a popular choice for parents who want to give their child a name with positive connotations and high aspirations.
The name Shad has been used throughout history by notable figures in various fields. For instance, Shadrach was one of the three men who were thrown into the fiery furnace in the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament of the Bible. In literature, there is also a character named Shad in Haruki Murakami's novel "Kafka on the Shore".
Despite its Arabic origins, the name Shad has been adopted by people from various backgrounds and cultures around the world. It is a unisex name, meaning it can be used for both boys and girls.
In terms of popularity, the name Shad is not as common as some other names but it has appeared in the Social Security Administration's list of baby names in the United States in recent years. According to data from 2019, Shad ranked #863 for boys' names and #875 for girls' names.
Overall, the name Shad is a unique choice with a meaningful origin and a rich history behind it. Its intelligent and wise connotations make it an appealing option for parents looking for a name with positive associations.
The name Shad has seen a varied trend of popularity over the years in the United States, with several peaks and troughs.
Between 1940 and 1967, there was a gradual increase in babies named Shad, from just five births each year in 1940 and 1956 to a peak of 62 births in 1967. This period saw a consistent rise in popularity, indicating that the name was gaining favor among parents.
The late 1960s marked a significant turning point for the name Shad. In 1968 and 1969, there were 96 and 175 births respectively, showing a substantial increase in popularity. This trend continued into the early 1970s, with peaks of 406 births in 1971 and 381 births in 1972.
However, the popularity of the name Shad began to decline from the mid-1970s onwards. After reaching a high of 406 births in 1971, the number dropped to just 261 births in 1975. This downward trend continued throughout the rest of the decade and into the early 1980s.
Despite this decline, there were some periods of relative stability for the name Shad. Between 1976 and 1984, the number of babies named Shad remained relatively consistent, fluctuating between a low of 52 births in 1984 to a high of 118 births in 1980.
However, from the mid-1980s onwards, there was another significant decline in the popularity of the name Shad. In 1993, only 67 babies were named Shad, marking a considerable drop from previous years.
This downward trend continued into the early 2000s, with fewer than 45 births each year between 1998 and 2002. Since then, the popularity of the name has remained relatively low but stable, with between 11 and 37 births per year from 2003 to 2022.
In total, there have been 4822 babies named Shad in the United States since 1940. While the name has seen periods of increased popularity, it is clear that its overall trend has been one of gradual decline over time.