Shamis

Meaning & Etymology

a girl born in the afternoon

a girl born in the afternoon

Etymology

Derived from the Somali word shamash, meaning ‘afternoon’ or ‘late afternoon’.

Linguistic family: Afro-Asiatic > Cushitic > East Cushitic > Somali

Cultural context

In Somali culture, names often reflect the time of day, weather, or circumstances of a child’s birth. Shamis, meaning ‘a girl born in the afternoon,’ highlights the cultural practice of naming children based on temporal and environmental factors.

Symbolism

The name symbolises the time of day when the child was born, reflecting the Somali tradition of connecting personal identity with natural and temporal elements.

Related names

• Amran (Somali for 'evening')
• Habeen (Somali for 'night')
• Dhehdo (Somali for 'morning')