Is Shields a boy's or girl's name?

Shields is primarily a boy's name.

When was Shields most popular?

Shields reached its peak popularity in 1915 with 10 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Shields?

Shields is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 88 babies in the U.S. since 1915. Its peak was in 1915.

Shields

An uncommon Old English pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's nameOld EnglishNot ranked recently

Rare name

Meaning & Origin

A surname.

Shields is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, from scield meaning 'shield, protector.' As a surname-turned-first-name, it carries the defensive warrior's identity.

Shields is protection personified — a name that promises to stand between danger and those it loves.

Compare Shields with another name

Popularity Over Time

Shields has 13+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1915.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Shields
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
1960s	5	#4541	—
1940s	5	#3974	▼
1930s	12	#3754	▼
1920s	26	#4003	▼
1910s	40	#3254	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(13 years, 1915–1962)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Shields
Year	Births	Rank	Change
1962	5	#4541	0
1942	5	#3974	0
1938	5	#3964	-2 (-28.6%)
1930	7	#3544	+2 (40.0%)
1929	5	#4462	-1 (-16.7%)
1927	6	#4146	-3 (-33.3%)
1924	9	#3227	+3 (50.0%)
1923	6	#4176	-2 (-25.0%)
1919	8	#3345	0
1918	8	#3328	0
1917	8	#3172	+2 (33.3%)
1916	6	#3830	-4 (-40.0%)
1915	10	#2593	—

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1915–1962) · Methodology