← All names

Shelagh

Girl name · 38 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Shelagh: 38 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 7 births in 1974.

Shelagh is a Scottish and Irish variant of Sheila, itself an anglicised form of the Gaelic Síle, ultimately derived from the Latin name Caecilia – meaning ‘blind’, a reference to the early Christian martyr Saint Cecilia. The name found literary fame through Shelagh Delaney, whose play *A Taste of Honey* revolutionised British theatre in the 1950s. Actress Shelagh Fraser is remembered by millions as Aunt Beru in the original *Star Wars* film. While no specific places bear the name, Shelagh shares its etymological root with Cecilia, giving it a melodic, saintly resonance. This spelling remains particularly popular in Scotland and Ireland, offering a softer, more lyrical alternative to the standard Sheila.