Shem is an ancient, biblical name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'renown' or 'fame'. It appears notably in the Old Testament as one of Noah's three sons. In the story of Noah's Ark, Shem, along with his brothers Ham and Japheth, is said to have repopulated the Earth after the Great Flood. The name has since been used sporadically throughout history but remains relatively uncommon today.
The name Shem experienced varied popularity over the decades, with peaks and valleys in its usage. The highest birth years were 1976 (23 births) and 2018 (17 births). The lowest occurred more recently in 2023 with only 12 births. Over the entire span from 1954 to 2023, there were a total of 727 births named Shem.