Shabazz is a name of African American origin, popularized by the Nation of Islam and the Black Power movement in the United States during the mid-20th century. It is believed to have been coined by Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam from 1934 until his death in 1975.
The name Shabazz is said to mean "Black God" or "Black Man" in Arabic. However, it is important to note that there is no clear evidence to support this claim, and its true origin remains somewhat unclear. Some sources suggest that the name was created by combining elements from various African languages, while others propose that it was inspired by the biblical figure of Shabazz (also spelled Sheba), who was a king of Ethiopia.
Despite its uncertain origins, the name Shabazz has become strongly associated with the Nation of Islam and the Black Power movement. Many prominent members of these movements have borne this name, including Malcolm X (whose birth name was Malcolm Little) and Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay).
In popular culture, the name Shabazz is often used to signify black pride and identity, and it has been featured in various forms of media, such as literature, music, and film. For example, rapper Tupac Shakur referred to himself as "Shakur" after his mother's family name, but he also went by the stage name "Makaveli," which some sources suggest is a reference to Shabazz.
Overall, while the exact origins of the name Shabazz may remain uncertain, it has become an important symbol of black identity and pride within certain communities. Its use continues to be associated with political activism and social movements aimed at promoting racial justice and empowerment.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Shabazz has seen a varied pattern of usage over the years in the United States. The name first appeared in significant numbers in the early 1970s, with nine births recorded in 1971 and twelve in 1972. However, its popularity waned during the mid-1970s, with only five births each year from 1975 to 1979.
The name Shabazz experienced a resurgence in popularity starting from the late 1980s. There were seven births recorded in 1988, and this number increased to thirteen in 1989 and seventeen in 1990. The name reached its peak popularity in 1992 with thirty births that year.
From 1993 onwards, the usage of Shabazz as a given name has been relatively consistent, with an average of around twelve births per year. There have been some fluctuations, however, such as a slight dip to six births each year between 2000 and 2002, followed by another period of increased popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
More recently, the name Shabazz has seen a gradual decline in usage, with five births recorded in each of the years from 2010 to 2023. Despite this decrease in recent years, it is clear that the name Shabazz has had periods of significant popularity over the past several decades in the United States.
In total, there have been 286 births registered with the name Shabazz in the United States since records began, demonstrating its enduring presence within American naming culture.