National Sheila Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

National Sheila Day is observed annually on July 27 to honour the significance of the name ‘Sheila’ and those who possess it. Did you know that Sheila is derived from the Middle Ages’ popularisation of the Roman name Cecilia? Saint Cecilia, a Roman martyr, was venerated by the Catholic Church, which popularised the name Cecilia. Sheila is a female given name derived from the Irish and French names Sle and Cécile, respectively. The name’s meaning is either ‘blind’ or ‘heavenly.’ Sheila E. (percussionist and vocalist), Sheila Ortiz Taylor, Sheila Hockin (television and film producer), and Sheila Ford Hamp (American businesswoman and football executive) are notable individuals with the given name Sheila.

The background of National Sheila Day

Sheila is derived from the Roman name Cecilia, which is the feminine form of the ancient Roman family name Caecilia. The Caecilii were primarily commoners who first appeared in history in the fifth century B.C. Caeculus, the mythical progenitor of Praeneste, is said to have given rise to the gens Caecilia. Caeculus was the son of the fire deity Vulcan and was born from Vulcan’s spark. He was raised by maidens and subsequently became a highwayman after growing up among shepherds. Caecas was one of the individuals who accompanied Aeneas to Italy following the fall of Troy, according to an alternative legend. Between 146 B.C. and 31 B.C., the Caecilii Metelli became one of the most prominent families of the late Roman Republic, elevating the social standing of the Caecilii family.

During the Middle Ages, the female given name Cecilia gained popularity. This prominence is attributed to Saint Cecilia of the second century. Cecilia was a Roman noblewoman who, along with her spouse Valerian, his brother Tiburitius, and a Roman soldier named Maximus, were executed as martyrs by either Alexander Severus or Marcus Aurelius. According to legend, Cecilia became the patron saint of music and musicians because, at her nuptials, she sang in her heart to the Lord as musicians performed.

After the Norman Conquest of 1066, the French form of the name Cécile was introduced to England in the early 11th century. Later, the name arrived in Ireland, where it was anglicised to Sle (pronounced SHEEL-ah). ‘Sheila’ is the anglicised form of the name ‘Sle.’ Sheila began acquiring popularity in the United States around the turn of the 20th century, when it was introduced by Irish immigrants. Since the middle of the twentieth century, its utilisation has declined.

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NATIONAL SHEILA DAY ACTIVITIES

Greeting Sheilas on National Sheila Day

Celebrate National Sheila Day by wishing all Sheilas in the United States and around the world “Happy National Sheila Day” on social media. Use the hashtag #NationalSheilaDay to encourage others to celebrate with you.

Give a gift

Today, if you have a Sheila-named friend or loved one, make them feel special by giving them a gift. It could be a customised T-shirt or mug, a lunch or dinner engagement, or an unexpected party.

View a classic Sheila film.

Even though there aren’t many films with the name Sheila, there is one that stands out and can be considered a classic. The film’s title is “The Last of Sheila,” and it was released in 1973. It has an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which indicates that it is an excellent film. It is available on Apple iTunes, Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, Vudu, and Microsoft Store for purchase or rental.

There are 5 interesting facts about the name Sheila.

‘Sheila,’ derived from ‘Cecilia,’ is the feminine form of ‘Caecilius,’ an ancient Roman family name.

Caecilius, according to Roman mythology, descended from Caeculus, the son of Vulcan, the deity of fire.

Sheila’s meanings include ‘blind one’ and ‘heavenly.’

Saint Cecilia’s veneration led to the rise in popularity of the name Cecilia.

According to Forebears, the United States has the highest number of individuals with the name Sheila.

NATIONAL SHEILA DAY DATES