Sheena is a unique and captivating female given name of Sanskrit origin. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "Shiina," which means "woman" or "lady." The name Sheena has been popularized in recent times by several notable figures, including actresses like Sheena Easton and Sheena Chohan.
The name Sheena was first introduced to the Western world through the 1937 novel "Sheena, Queen of the Jungle," written by American author A. Merritt. In this story, Sheena is a white-skinned jungle girl raised by wild animals who becomes a legendary figure in Africa. The character was later portrayed on film by actress Ursula Andress in the 1953 British-American adventure movie "Sheena." Since then, the name Sheena has become synonymous with strength, independence, and beauty.
Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who bear the name Sheena. In addition to the aforementioned actresses, there is also Sheena Bhattacharjee, a prominent Indian poet and activist, as well as Sheena Iyengar, a renowned American psychologist and business professor at Columbia Business School.
Overall, Sheena is an attractive and powerful female given name with deep roots in Sanskrit tradition. Its meaning and history make it a unique choice for parents looking to give their daughter a strong and distinctive name with a rich cultural heritage.
The name Sheena has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past eight decades in the United States. Between 1943 and 1978, the number of babies named Sheena increased steadily, reaching a peak of 148 births in both 1977 and 1978.
However, from 1981 onwards, there was a dramatic surge in the popularity of the name Sheena. In 1982 alone, there were 1956 babies named Sheena, marking a significant increase compared to previous years. This trend continued into the late 1980s and early 1990s, with over 3000 babies named Sheena in some years.
Nevertheless, like many names that experience sudden popularity, Sheena's star began to fade after the mid-1990s. By the year 2000, the number of babies named Sheena had fallen significantly, with only 66 births recorded that year. This downward trend continued into the new millennium, with fewer than 50 babies named Sheena each year between 2001 and 2018.
Despite this decline in popularity, the name Sheena has managed to maintain a consistent presence among baby names in recent years. Between 2019 and 2023, there have been an average of 12 births for each year, indicating that while it may not be as popular as it once was, the name Sheena still holds some appeal for parents naming their daughters.
In total, over the past eight decades, there have been 22,345 babies named Sheena in the United States.