Shaquille is of African origin, meaning "little brave one" or "challenger". It is composed of two elements: 'shaq', which means "to challenge", and '-uille', a diminutive suffix. This name gained popularity in the United States during the late 20th century due to its use by notable figures such as Shaquille O'Neal, a retired professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history. Despite its recent rise in usage, Shaquille is an ancient name with a strong historical and cultural significance in Africa.
The name Shaquille experienced significant popularity between 1990 and 1993, with a peak of 126 births in 1993. However, it saw a sharp decline afterwards, reaching as low as 20 births in 1995. Overall, there were 387 babies named Shaquille born during this period.