Shoaib
A boy's name of Arabic origin with 210 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Alternative spelling of Shuaib.
Shoaib is a boy's baby name of Arabic origin, the Arabic name for the prophet Shu'ayb, who appears in the Quran as the prophet sent to the people of Midian and Ayka. The name is thought to derive from a root meaning 'one who preaches' or 'who shows the right path.'
With 210 recorded U.S. births, Shoaib is used across Muslim communities — particularly Pakistani, and familiar from the name of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, one of the fastest bowlers in history. A name of prophetic significance and sporting celebrity.
EtymologyShow more
Shoaib appeared in SSA records in 1983, 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 Arabic roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 210 recorded births, Shoaib has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Shoaib climbed 3235 spots in the last 20 years — from #12944 to #9709.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 47 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 68 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 38 | — |
| 1990s | 39 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 18 | — |
The Story of Shoaib
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2003, Shoaib is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Shoaib are most likely born between 1993 and 2013.
How rare is Shoaib?
Only about 1 in every 450,000 babies born in 2024 was named Shoaib — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1983, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2010s with 68 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Shoaib by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(26 years, 1983–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | #9709 |
| 2023 | 7 | #10631 |
| 2022 | 12 | #7190 |
| 2021 | 14 | #6294 |
| 2020 | 6 | #11809 |
| 2019 | 9 | #8764 |
| 2018 | 9 | #8711 |
| 2017 | 11 | #7465 |
| 2016 | 9 | #8701 |
| 2015 | 5 | #13744 |
| 2014 | 9 | #8687 |
| 2013 | 8 | #9523 |
| 2011 | 8 | #9468 |
| 2007 | 8 | #9638 |
| 2005 | 5 | #13059 |
| 2004 | 5 | #12944 |
| 2003 | 14 | #5503 |
| 2002 | 6 | #10468 |
| 1999 | 7 | #8571 |
| 1998 | 11 | #5779 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shoaib a boy's or girl's name?
When was Shoaib most popular?
How popular is the name Shoaib?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1983–2024