Shabazz
A boy's name of Arabic origin with 286 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Shabazz is a boy's baby name of Arabic origin, from the Arabic and Persian shahbaz meaning 'royal falcon' or 'noble, magnificent.' In the Nation of Islam tradition, the Tribe of Shabazz was considered the original Black people of the world. Malcolm X, who took the name El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, made this name a symbol of Black pride and self-determination.
Shabazz carries profound cultural significance in African American Muslim communities — a name of dignity, sovereignty, and the reclamation of identity.
EtymologyShow more
Shabazz first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1971. First appearing in the 1970s, Shabazz emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.
Its Arabic classification suggests a path from arabic linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Shabazz has 29+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1971.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5 | #13848 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 27 | #13155 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 12 | #10294 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 165 | #4228 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 31 | #6224 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 46 | #5483 | — |
The Story of Shabazz
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1992, Shabazz is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Shabazz are most likely born between 1982 and 2002.
How rare is Shabazz?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Shabazz is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1971, peaked in the 1990s with 165 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Shabazz by the numbers
- Would fill 6 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(29 years, 1971–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | #13848 |
| 2019 | 5 | #13805 |
| 2018 | 5 | #13773 |
| 2016 | 7 | #10554 |
| 2015 | 5 | #13717 |
| 2010 | 5 | #13926 |
| 2002 | 6 | #10450 |
| 2000 | 6 | #10137 |
| 1999 | 12 | #5598 |
| 1998 | 16 | #4382 |
| 1997 | 12 | #5225 |
| 1996 | 15 | #4358 |
| 1995 | 14 | #4470 |
| 1994 | 13 | #4750 |
| 1993 | 23 | #3023 |
| 1992 | 30 | #2454 |
| 1991 | 13 | #4439 |
| 1990 | 17 | #3576 |
| 1989 | 13 | #4234 |
| 1988 | 7 | #6311 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shabazz a boy's or girl's name?
When was Shabazz most popular?
How popular is the name Shabazz?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1971–2023