All about the name

Shem

Female

« Shem is a Hebrew masculine given name derived from 'shem', meaning 'name'. »

#70423 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Shem is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word "shem," which means "name." In the Bible, Shem is the eldest son of Noah and the father of all the children of Eber (the ancestor of the Hebrews). According to Jewish tradition, Shem was one of the three patriarchs who were present at the creation of the world, along with his brothers Japheth and Ham. The name Shem has been used by various cultures throughout history, including in ancient Mesopotamia, where it was associated with the god Shamash, the god of the sun. Today, Shem is still a popular given name among Jewish families and has also gained popularity as an international name due to its biblical significance and strong meaning.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Shem since 1880

Total births
5
Total since 1880
Peak year
1970
5 births
in 1970
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years