Shia

♂ Boy

Pronounced SHY-uh /ˈʃaɪ.ə/High

Meaning: Gift of God; praise of God; from Hebrew Shia or Shiya, a short form of Yishiyahu (God saves, God praises) — and also the name of the actor Shia LaBeoufMedium

In 30 seconds: A Hebrew short name meaning 'gift of God' or 'praise of God,' and a branch of Shiite Islam (the followers of Ali). In the U.S. it is best known as the first name of actor Shia LaBeouf.

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Origin MediumHebrew

MeaningGift of God; praise of God; from Hebrew Shia or Shiya, a short form of Yishiyahu (God saves, God praises) — and also the name of the actor Shia LaBeouf

U.S. rank (2025)#1360 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births138 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,253

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

Shia may be a Hebrew diminutive of names like Yeshayahu (Isaiah: God is salvation) or other -iah forms. It may also be the actor's family's spelling. As a branch of Islam, Shia/Shi'a refers to followers of Ali.

Shia ranked #1201 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? Shia LaBeouf's mother is Jewish, and his name Shia is a Hebrew diminutive — making him one of Hollywood's most prominently Hebrew-named stars. The name's meaning, 'praise of God,' fits his mother's Jewish naming tradition.

Overall data confidence 75%

U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

ShyaShai

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Shia LaBeouf (1986–present)
American actor known for Transformers (2007), Disturbia (2007), and his performance in Honey Boy (2019). His given name Shia reflects his Jewish maternal heritage.

If you like Shia…

Shai— Hebrew one-syllable name meaning gift in the same tradition

Eli— Hebrew one-syllable name with the same quiet strength

Levi— Hebrew tribal name with the same understated quality

Avi— Hebrew one-syllable name meaning father in the same tradition

Ori— Hebrew name meaning my light in the same tradition

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By themehebrew two-syllable jewish celebrity-name gift-of-god

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Shia mean?

Shia means 'gift of God' or 'praise of God,' a Hebrew diminutive of names like Yeshayahu (Isaiah).

How do you pronounce Shia?

It's said SHY-uh — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Shia a boy or girl name?

Shia is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Shia?

Shia ranked #1201 for U.S. boys in 2024.