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Shemekia

♀ Girl

Pronounced shuh-MEE-kee-uh /ʃəˈmiː.ki.ə/Medium

Meaning: Shemekia is a lengthened form of Shameka, adding an '-ia' tail to the coined '-meka' base for a more flowing, four-syllable sound. Like the rest of its family it carries no older etymology, but it gained real-world visibility through the acclaimed blues singer Shemekia Copeland, which set it apart from its plainer cousins.Low

In 30 seconds: Shemekia is an elaborated Shameka with an '-ia' ending, carried by blues singer Shemekia Copeland. It was a flowing, rare pick of the early eighties (said 'shuh-MEE-kee-uh').

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Origin LowAmerican

MeaningShemekia is a lengthened form of Shameka, adding an '-ia' tail to the coined '-meka' base for a more flowing, four-syllable sound. Like the rest of its family it carries no older etymology, but it gained real-world visibility through the acclaimed blues singer Shemekia Copeland, which set it apart from its plainer cousins.

U.S. rank (1992)#8653 ↗ Rising

1992 U.S. births10 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1982

Total births (all-time)≈ 333

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Shemekia stretches Shameka with an added '-ia', part of the coined '-meka' family. Its most famous holder is the blues vocalist Shemekia Copeland.

It appears from about 1974 and peaks faintly near 1982 before fading by the early nineties over a short life. It was always rare, distinguished less by numbers than by its notable namesake.

Did you know? The name gained a genuine bearer in Grammy-nominated blues singer Shemekia Copeland, who turned an obscure coined name into one with a real public face.

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Shemekia / Shameka — Elaborated coinage; bearer Shemekia Copeland, blues singer

Variations

ShemekaShamekiaShemikiaShameka

Nicknames

MekiaKia

Famous Bearers

★Shemekia Copeland (born 1979)
American blues singer, daughter of bluesman Johnny Copeland, known for a powerful voice and award-nominated albums

If you like Shemekia…

Shameka— the base name Shemekia elaborates

Tamika— the leading name of the '-mika' cluster

Shaneka— a matching 'Sh-' coinage of the era

Shatavia— a fellow American choice

Jazaria— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Shemekia

By themerare american coined african-american

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Shemekia mean?

Shemekia is an elaborated form of Shameka, a coined name whose meaning is in its sound.

How do you pronounce Shemekia?

It's said shuh-MEE-kee-uh /ʃəˈmiː.ki.ə/ - four syllables, stress on the second.

Is Shemekia a boy or girl name?

Shemekia has been used as a girl's name.

How popular is Shemekia?

Shemekia was always rare, though blues singer Shemekia Copeland gave it a public face.