Shelia is a feminine given name of English origin. It is a variant spelling of the name Sheila, which has its roots in Irish and Scottish Gaelic languages. The name Sheila is derived from the word "síol" meaning "sun" or "peace".
In Ireland, Sheila was traditionally given to girls born on Sunday because it means "she who is bright around her". In Scotland, however, the name may have originated as a shortened form of the Gaelic personal name "Síle", which means "raven-haired beauty".
Throughout history, Shelia has been associated with prominent figures. One notable example is Sheila Scott, a British aviator who set numerous aviation records in the 1960s and 1970s. Another well-known Shelia is Shelia Jackson Lee, an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 18th congressional district since 1995.
Today, Shelia continues to be a popular name among English-speaking populations around the world. It has also gained popularity in other countries such as Canada and Australia. While some variations like Shelly or Shiela exist, Shelia remains one of the most commonly used spellings for this classic feminine given name.
The name Sheila has had a varied history of popularity in the United States over the years, with peaks and valleys in its usage. In the mid-20th century, it experienced several periods of modest popularity. From 1954 to 1965, there were a total of 86 babies named Sheila, with the highest number of births occurring in 1965, when 11 babies were given this name.
However, after 1965, the usage of the name Sheila began to decline. There were only 5 births each in 1968 and 1970, indicating a significant decrease in popularity during that time. In 1971, there was a slight resurgence with 7 births.
In total, from 1954 to 1971, there were 111 babies named Sheila in the United States. While it experienced periods of modest popularity, particularly between 1954 and 1965, the name Sheila did not reach the levels of widespread usage seen with many other names during this time period.
This data shows how the popularity of a name can fluctuate over time, with several factors contributing to these trends. It's fascinating to observe the ebb and flow of name popularity throughout history.