The number of Arab, Shia Kuwaiti people residing in North American is relatively small in comparison to other Arab peoples. However, their numbers continue to increase annually and form a significant least reached people in North America.

Historically, Kuwait's Shia population formed due to two different regional trajectories. A group of Arabs native to the Gulf, collectively referred to as the baharnah, were sea-faring peoples and Twelver Shia Muslims, who inhabited Bahrain, the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. The other historical dynamic that led to the formation of a Shia community in Kuwait were migrations from Shia Iran to what is today Kuwait and Bahrain, some dating as far back as 300 years ago, while others came in a wave during the 1920s. Other Kuwaiti Shia originated among the Shia of southern Iraq. Despite their differing origins, collectively this Shia community has forged a "Gulfie" identity tied to Kuwait.

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