Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Shiela
GirlIrish, Latin· “variant of Sheila”
- Meaning
- variant of Sheila
- Origin
- Irish, Latin
- Pronunciation
- SHEE-luh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- Unranked
- US babies 2025
- 0
- Best rank
- #714 (1970)
- Peak year
- 1970
Meaning and origin of Shiela
Shiela is an Irish and Latin name that is usually said to mean “variant of Sheila”.
Shiela is a spelling of Sheila, with the i and e reversed. Sheila is the anglicized form of the Irish Síle, which came from Cecilia, a Latin name from the Roman family name Caecilius, often linked with caecus, blind. Saint Cecilia, patron of music, made Cecilia widespread in Europe, and the Irish form Sheila later became common in Britain, Australia and the United States. The Shiela spelling is best seen as a variant rather than a separate name. It is said SHEE-luh. Parents who like it usually choose Sheila, which is easier for others to spell.
Popularity over time
Shiela first appears in US Social Security records in 1908. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 16 different years, starting in 1947. Its best national rank was #714 in 1970, the same year it reached its highest count of 216 babies. It did not appear in the 2025 data, which only lists names given to at least five babies.
Its national rank moved from #4,898 in 1920, #1,070 in 1950, #2,480 in 1980, and #12,943 in 2000. Of the 4,408 US girls named Shiela since records began, 31% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 940 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Nicolle, Charla, Darcie, Candida, and Shani.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Shiela is usually pronounced SHEE-luh, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with S and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Shiela
A few middle names that flow with Shiela: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Shiela
Similar names
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SHEE-luh
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Bela Girl
BEL-uh
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Stella Girl
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Bella Girl
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pah-OH-luh
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Nola Girl
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Maura Girl
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OR-luh
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Shelia Girl
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rare
Nora Girl
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Lists that include Shiela
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Shiela mean?
Shiela is an Irish and Latin name that is usually said to mean “variant of Sheila”.
What is the origin of the name Shiela?
Shiela has Irish and Latin roots. Shiela is a spelling of Sheila, with the i and e reversed.
Is Shiela a popular name?
No. Shiela was not recorded for five or more babies of its most common sex in 2025, so it is rare today.
Is Shiela a boy or girl name?
Shiela is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Shiela?
Shiela 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