How popular is the name Sheila
In 2025, 7 babies were named Sheila in England and Wales.
England and Wales
- In 2025
- 7births
- Peak year
- 200616 births
- Since 1996
- 219births from 1996 to 2025
The United States
- Peak decade
- 1960s74,078 births
Sheila: name meaning, origin and numerology
Sheila is an Irish form of Cecilia, from a Roman family name; numerologically it is a 9, big-hearted and idealistic.
- idealism
- generosity
- openness
The essentials
Sheila at a glance
For you
A Sheila gets from the 9 a big-hearted outlook, a sense of fairness and readiness to back a cause bigger than herself.
A strength
Staying in touch with everyone when a family or a team splits.
Something to watch
Read more Accepting a fifth request in one week, then resenting the people who made it.
- Origin
- Latin
- Active number
- 9, idealism
Where the name Sheila comes from
Sheila is the Anglicised spelling of the Irish Sile, itself an Irish form of Cecilia.
Cecilia is a feminine built on the Roman family name Caecilius, which probably comes from the Latin caecus, “blind”. Saint Cecilia, a martyr of ancient Rome, became the patron of musicians, which helped the name spread. In Australia and New Zealand sheila has also long been slang for a woman, apart from the given name.
The name Sheila in numerology
A Sheila often thinks about fairness and about the wider world before she thinks about herself.
S 1, H 8, E 5, I 9, L 3, A 1 give 27, and 2 plus 7 are 9. She tends to give time to volunteering, to neighbours and to friends in trouble.
E, I and A among the vowels come to 15, then 6. The inner motive is caring: a welcoming home, loyal friendships and the well-being of the family come first. S, H and L total 12, so 3. In action she communicates well, explains patiently and often wins people over with humour.
She begins with an S, a 1, which makes a confident first impression, while the E that opens her vowels, a 5, keeps her curious and adaptable when something unexpected arrives.
Generosity, care and expression: three gifts joined in one name, with the occasional risk of giving too much. She may be the one who organises the collection, the lift rota or the surprise party, and who quietly makes sure no one is left out.
Sheila: popularity, compatibility and advice
A tip for the name Sheila
Set the 9 of Sheila against your Soul Urge number, which comes from every vowel in your name.
When both talk of giving, protect some time for yourself; when they differ, see what tempers the generosity.
Name spread → Same theme: first names
How is it calculated?
Each letter is worth a digit from 1 to 9, and the total is reduced to a single digit.
S 1 + H 8 + E 5 + I 9 + L 3 + A 1 = 27 → 9
The calculation, letter by letter
S 1 + H 8 + E 5 + I 9 + L 3 + A 1 = 27 → 9
- Initial
- S
Frequently asked questions about the name Sheila
What does the name Sheila mean?
Sheila is the English spelling of the Irish Sile, which is a form of Cecilia, from the Roman family name Caecilius and probably the Latin word for “blind”. Numerologically Sheila is a 9, with caring vowels at 6 and expressive consonants at 3.
Is Sheila the same name as Shelagh?
They are two spellings of the same Irish name, Sile, and both mean the same. The spelling Shelagh has different letters, though, so its total differs from the 9 of Sheila. Checking which spelling is on the certificate comes before reading the number.
Is Sheila a popular name?
In 2025, 7 babies were named Sheila in England and Wales. Source: ONS, SSA.
Which names go well with Sheila in numerology?
No name is “made for” Sheila. Numerology compares numbers: Sheila is a 9, and the “Sheila and…?” test or the pair pages for the 9 show how this number fits with the others. A relationship is more than two first names; each person’s date of birth changes the reading.
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Sheila and…?
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More names to explore
Names with the same number or the same initial, and a comparison tool to help you choose.