Name meaning & stats
Sheila
Sheila means “blind (via Cecilia)” (Irish origin). 226,135 US babies since 1940, peak 1962. Notable Sheilas are 1.9× over-represented as politicians.
What it means
“blind (via Cecilia)”
IrishDebated
In US birth records
Peak year: 1962
226,135 US babies were named Sheila between 1940 and 2025.
Where Sheilas end up
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Politician | 1.9× | High · 32 people |
| Actor | 0.8× | Medium · 20 people |
| Professor | 1.6× | Medium · 18 people |
| Writer | 0.9× | Medium · 17 people |
Among notable women who are politicians, Sheilas show up 1.9× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
Spelling family
The most common spelling: 91% of the family
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 1962)