Shale, derived from the Old English word 'scál' meaning 'small stone', is an uncommon given name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It gained popularity as a boys' name during the late 20th century but remains relatively rare today.
The name Shale saw its most popular years in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with a total of 21 babies named Shale born over this period. However, it's worth noting that there was a gap of eight years between the last two recorded births, suggesting a decline in popularity for this name.