Shihab
Meaningshooting star, flame · Arabic
Shihab is an Arabic boy name meaning “shooting star, flame”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Shihab would score 14 points, thanks largely to the H (worth 4).
- GenerationShihab peaked in 2001, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Shihab you'd meet today is about 24 years old.
- HistoryShihab first shows up in US birth records in 1999, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 26 years since.
US births per million boys, 1999–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Shihab
Shihab is a boy name of Arabic origin meaning “shooting star, flame”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
More Arabic boy names
- Boy name: Caleb · dog, faithful
- Boy name: Silas · of the forest
- Boy name: Aaron · possibly exalted
- Boy name: Amir · prince, commander
- Boy name: Xavier · new house
- Boy name: Jasper · treasurer
- Boy name: Muhammad · praised
- Boy name: Omar · flourishing, long-lived
Questions about the name Shihab
What does the name Shihab mean?
Shihab means “shooting star, flame” and comes from Arabic. Names built around “star” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Dhruv (“steadfast, pole star”), Tariq (“morning star”), Star (“star”) and Astro (“star”).
What is the origin of the name Shihab?
Shihab is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Caleb (“dog, faithful”), Silas (“of the forest”), Aaron (“possibly exalted”) and Amir (“prince, commander”).
Is Shihab a boy or girl name?
Shihab is a boy name.
How popular is the name Shihab?
Shihab is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2023. It peaked at #7,536 in 2001, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Shihab?
If you like Shihab, you might also like Dhruv, Tariq, Star and Astro.
What should I know before naming my baby Shihab?
Shihab is an Arabic boy name meaning “shooting star, flame”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.