labeouf was born in los angeles, california, as the only child of shayna (née saide) and jeffrey craig labeouf. his mother is a dancer and ballerina turned visual artist and clothing jewelry designer. his father is a vietnam war veteran who had numerous jobs. labeouf's mother is jewish, and his father, who is of cajun french descent, is christian. labeouf has described himself as jewish, and has stated that he was raised around "both sides"; he had a bar mitzvah ceremony, and was also baptized in the angelus church. one of the camps he attended was christian. his first name is derived from szaja, the polish version of the hebrew yeshayahu (isaiah), meaning "god is salvation."