Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Sheila
GirlIrish, Latin· “Irish form of Cecilia”
- Meaning
- Irish form of Cecilia
- Origin
- Irish, Latin
- Pronunciation
- SHEE-luh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,686
- US babies 2025
- 65
- Best rank
- #50 (1963)
- Peak year
- 1962
Meaning and origin of Sheila
Sheila is an Irish and Latin name that means “Irish form of Cecilia”.
Sheila is an anglicized form of the Irish Síle, which is itself derived from Cecilia, a Roman family name traditionally linked to the Latin caecus, blind. Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music, helped spread the root name. Sheila became familiar in English-speaking countries in the twentieth century, and in Australia it is even used as a slang term for a woman. The name has a friendly, vintage feel and a clear two-syllable sound. Shay is a possible modern nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Sheilah, Sheela.
Popularity over time
Sheila first appears in US Social Security records in 1907. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 90 different years, starting in 1917. Its best national rank was #50 in 1963, and the most babies received it in 1962, when 8,778 were named Sheila. In 2025, 65 babies were named Sheila, and it ranked #2,686 nationally. That is 48% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #767 in 1920, #70 in 1950, #214 in 1980, #689 in 2000, #1,283 in 2010, and #2,686 in 2025. Of the 238,774 US girls named Sheila since records began, 31% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 70,174 babies. Since 2010, 1,986 more have been named Sheila.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Sherry, Paula, Laurie, Suzanne, and Beth.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Sheila ranked highest in California, New York, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #1824 | 12 |
| New York | #2380 | 5 |
| Texas | #3728 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Sheila is usually pronounced SHEE-luh, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with S and ends in “-la”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Sheilah and Sheela.
Middle names for Sheila
A few middle names that flow with Sheila: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Sheila
Similar names
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pah-OH-luh
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SHAY-luh
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Bela Girl
BEL-uh
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Lists that include Sheila
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sheila mean?
Sheila is an Irish and Latin name that means “Irish form of Cecilia”.
What is the origin of the name Sheila?
Sheila has Irish and Latin roots. Sheila is an anglicized form of the Irish Síle, which is itself derived from Cecilia, a Roman family name traditionally linked to the Latin caecus, blind.
Is Sheila a popular name?
Not especially. Sheila ranked #2,686 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Sheila a boy or girl name?
Sheila is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Sheila?
Sheila is usually pronounced SHEE-luh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings