Shaneya is an uncommon, yet captivating female given name of American origin. It was coined by author Stephen King for his character Shanequa "Shaneya" Rice in the 1983 novella 'The Sun Dog'. The name has since gained limited usage as a baby girl name, often chosen for its unique sound and spelling. However, it remains quite rare, which may contribute to its allure for parents seeking distinctive names for their daughters.
The name Shaneya experienced fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a peak of six births each in 1990, 1991, and again in 1999. The most recent surge was in 2008, also with six births. Notably, there was a gap between 1992 and 1998 before it resurfaced. Overall, Shaneya has been given to sixty children over the span of these years.