Shaka
Primarily a boy's name of Zulu origin with 692 recorded births. Also given to 142 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A greeting gesture in which the thumb and little finger are extended while curling the three middle fingers in a semi-fist, used to express a variety of positive meanings including all right, hello and goodbye.
Shaka is a boy's and girl's baby name of Zulu origin, from the Zulu uShaka, meaning 'intestinal beetle' — the name of the legendary Zulu king who transformed his small clan into one of southern Africa's most powerful empires in the early 19th century.
With over 692 recorded births, Shaka carries the legacy of Shaka kaSenzangakhona (c. 1787–1828), the Zulu king who built the Zulu Kingdom through military genius — revolutionizing Zulu warfare tactics, creating the famous 'bull horn' battle formation, and training warriors of extraordinary discipline and courage. His achievement in transforming a minor clan into a regional empire in under a decade is one of the most remarkable feats in African military history.
EtymologyShow more
Shaka appeared in SSA records in 1970, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Zulu roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
Shaka’s 692 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by hundreds of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Shaka has 48+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1970.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 55 | #6447 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 71 | #9209 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 39 | #10928 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 176 | #4072 | — |
| 1980s | 181 | #3454 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 170 | #3017 | — |
The Story of Shaka
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1987, Shaka is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Shaka are most likely born between 1977 and 1997.
How rare is Shaka?
Only about 1 in every 300,000 babies born in 2024 was named Shaka — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1970, peaked in the 1980s with 181 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Shaka by the numbers
- Would fill 14 school buses
- Meeting one Shaka per day would take 1.9 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(48 years, 1970–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 | #7168 |
| 2022 | 15 | #6096 |
| 2021 | 14 | #6289 |
| 2020 | 14 | #6233 |
| 2019 | 9 | #8754 |
| 2017 | 11 | #7462 |
| 2016 | 11 | #7523 |
| 2015 | 5 | #13723 |
| 2014 | 8 | #9481 |
| 2012 | 7 | #10577 |
| 2011 | 9 | #8653 |
| 2010 | 11 | #7497 |
| 2008 | 7 | #10843 |
| 2006 | 5 | #13682 |
| 2005 | 5 | #13041 |
| 2002 | 7 | #9230 |
| 2001 | 5 | #12023 |
| 2000 | 10 | #6747 |
| 1999 | 18 | #4128 |
| 1998 | 9 | #6751 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Shaka as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Shaka has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 142 births since 1975.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shaka a boy's or girl's name?
When was Shaka most popular?
How popular is the name Shaka?
Can Shaka be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1970–2024