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Sheila

Girl name · 292 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Sheila: 292 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 36 births in 1974.

Sheila is the Anglicised form of the Irish name Síle, itself a Gaelic rendering of Cecilia, the Latin name meaning "blind" – a saintly moniker that spread widely across the British Isles. In Scotland, the name peaked in popularity during the mid-20th century, and one of its most celebrated bearers was the folk singer Sheila Stewart, a key figure in preserving the bothy ballad tradition from Perthshire. Actress Sheila Hancock brought the name to British screens with her famously forthright style, while the variant Shelagh offers a distinct spelling. Though its usage has since declined, Sheila remains a warmly recognised classic, evoking a sense of sturdy, no-nonsense charm.