"singing, hymn of praise"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Shira
Pronunciation: [ sh-IHR-uh ]
Does Shira flow with your last name?
A lyrical Hebrew name meaning song
Hebrew
Israeli
Jewish
Spiritual
Elegant
Classic
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Shira
Shira comes from the Hebrew shir meaning song or poem. It is related to the Hebrew verb shir, to sing, and to the word shirah meaning singing or song of praise. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible in references to sacred poetry and praise — Miriam's Song (Shirat Miriam) after crossing the Red Sea is one of the earliest recorded poems in the Hebrew tradition. Shira carries the full weight of Hebrew literary and musical heritage.
Shira has been consistently popular in Israel and among Jewish diaspora communities worldwide. It experienced a rise in popularity in the 1970s-80s in Israel and remains a beloved name for its beauty and meaningful connection to Jewish cultural and religious life.
In Jewish tradition, shirah (song) holds profound religious significance. The Torah portions of Shirat HaYam (Song of the Sea, Exodus 15) and Shirat Haazinu (Song of Moses, Deuteronomy 32) are among the holiest texts. Naming a daughter Shira connects her to this heritage of sacred poetry and musical prayer.
Historical Record
Shira first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 5,710 babies have been named Shira in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Shira is past its peak , currently ranked #2,328 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Shira is related to Shir HaShirim — the Song of Songs, one of the most poetic books in the Hebrew Bible
- Shirat Miriam (Miriam's Song) in Exodus 15 is one of the oldest recorded poems in human history
Shira in Other Languages
Arabic
Shira
French
Shira
Hebrew
Shira
English
Shira
Spanish
Shira
Popularity Over Time
#2,328
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1985
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Shira
S
Shira Haas
Actor
1995
Israeli actress known for Unorthodox (2020) and Shtisel
S
Shira Geffen
Artist
1971
Israeli filmmaker and screenwriter who co-directed Jellyfish (2007), winner of the Cannes Camera d'Or
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Compare Shira with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,328
- Total SSA Count
- 79
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Israeli Jewish
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Shiri
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, classic style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Shira
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Shira
What does the name Shira mean?
"singing, hymn of praise" (from Hebrew). Shira comes from the Hebrew shir meaning song or poem. It is related to the Hebrew verb shir, to sing, and to the word shirah meaning singing or song of praise. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible in references to sacred poetry and praise — Miriam's Song (Shirat Miriam) after crossing the Red Sea is one of the earliest recorded poems in the Hebrew tradition. Shira carries the full weight of Hebrew literary and musical heritage.
What is the origin of the name Shira?
Shira has Hebrew, Israeli, and Jewish origins. In Hebrew, it means "singing, hymn of praise".
Is Shira a boy or girl name?
Shira is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Shira?
Shira is pronounced sh-IHR-uh.
How popular is the name Shira?
Shira is currently ranked #2328 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Shira?
Common nicknames for Shira include Shiri.
What are good middle names for Shira?
Popular middle name pairings include Shira Leah, Shira Rachel, Shira Miriam, Shira Ruth, Shira Naomi, Shira Grace, and Shira Rose.
What are good sibling names for Shira?
Names that pair well with Shira as siblings include Talia, Dania, Noa, Yael, Lior, Eitan, and Avi.
How many syllables does Shira have?
Shira has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Shira a common or rare name?
Shira is an uncommon name, ranked #2328 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Shira?
Are there other spellings for Shira?
Related spellings include Shirley.
About the Name Shira
Shira is a girl name with Hebrew, Israeli, and Jewish origins . The name means "singing, hymn of praise" in Hebrew .
Shira is currently ranked #2,328 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Shira has 2 syllables and is pronounced sh-IHR-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Shira include Shiri. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Shira include Shirley . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis