Shira

female

Origin

Hebrew origin, from the word שִׁיר (Shir), meaning 'song' or 'poetry'. In biblical contexts, Shira appears as a female name associated with joy and singing. It has no significant Aboriginal or Māori roots, but has been adopted in multicultural Australian communities.

Meaning

'Song' or 'poetry' in Hebrew, symbolising beauty, harmony, and celebration. In Australian English contexts, it can evoke a sense of melodic tenderness and cultural richness.

Pronunciation

/ˈʃɪərə/ (SHIR-ah); stress on the first syllable, long 'ee' sound in the second syllable in some pronunciations, but commonly spoken as /ˈʃɪrə/ in Australian English.

Variants & Nicknames

Variants

  • Shira (original),
  • Shirah (alternative spelling),
  • Sharee (less common variant)

Nicknames

  • Shirae
  • Shi
  • Shiri

Name Days

  • 15 February (Saint Shira's Day)
  • 30 July (Australian Cultural Day) — Celebrating indigenous and multicultural harmony)
  • Week of 15 February (commemorative activities for poetic and musical arts in Australia)

Name Pairings

Names that pair well with shira:

  • Anna and Shira','Emily and Shira','Lila and Shira
  • Sophia and Shira'],'Emily-Shira','Lila-Shira (hyphenated pairing)
  • Cultural or family-related middle names such as 'Mae' or 'Rose'

Fun Facts

  • The name Shira gained popularity in Australia during the early 2000s amidst multicultural naming trends.
  • Shira is also a popular name for Australian-made artistic performances highlighting poetry and music festivals.
  • In Australian pop culture, the name appeared in a 2010 independent film highlighting Indigenous Australian themes.

Personality Traits

Common traits associated with the name shira:

  • creative
  • melodic
  • sensitive
  • artistic

Aesthetic Qualities

Elegant and soft visual appeal, with rounded letters and gentle curves, considered aesthetically pleasing in typographic design in Australia, especially in promotional arts and branding.

Geographical Distribution

More common in urban centres such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, especially within multicultural suburbs and arts communities. Less frequent in rural areas.

Numerological Significance

Name number 7, associated with introspection, spirituality, and wisdom. Indicates a thoughtful and artistic personality, aligning with its lyrical origin.

Astrological Connections

No specific zodiac association, but fitting for individuals born under water signs like Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces, aligning with themes of emotion and harmony.

Historical Context

The name has been adopted in Australia through immigration and global influence, especially amongst Jewish communities and multicultural families. It features in Australian poetry anthologies and musical compositions promoting diversity.

Linguistic Adaptability

The name seamlessly adapts across languages with minor variations; in Hebrew and other Semitic languages, pronunciation may differ slightly. In non-Latin scripts, such as Hebrew or Arabic, it is transliterated respecting phonetic nuances.

Famous People Named shira

  • Shira Geoff (Australian singer-songwriter)
  • Shira Levy (Australian dancer and choreographer)
  • Shira Kahn (fictional character in Australian novels)

Popularity in Australia

Year Count
2024 1