Shams, of Arabic origin, translates to "sun" and has been traditionally used as a male name, although its usage can extend beyond gender binaries. It is comprised of five letters: ش م س (shīn mīm sīn). The name Shams gained notable recognition through historical figures such as the Persian poet Shams Tabrizi, who was a spiritual mentor to Rumi.
The name Shams experienced a significant increase in popularity over time, with a marked rise from the mid-2010s onwards. The highest number of births recorded was in 2023, with 34 instances.