Shakeya, of African origin, translates to 'life' in Swahili and is often associated with the vibrant energy and spirit it embodies. This unique moniker gained prominence during the late 20th century but remains uncommon today, making each Shakeya a distinctive individual. Pronounced as /ʃəˈkiːə/, the name rhymes with 'key-ya', adding a musicality to its pronunciation. Spelling variations include Shakiya and Shakayla, offering parents creative flexibility while retaining the original essence of the name.
The name Shakeya gained popularity from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, with a peak of 50 births in 1993. After this period, the number of births significantly decreased, reaching as low as 5 births in recent years.