The total organic carbon content in shale reservoirs is a crucial parameter for assessing hydrocarbon generation potential and shale gas enrichment. Accurate prediction of TOC is essential for oil and gas exploration and development. Conventional linear regression methods are limited in their predictive accuracy due to the complex nonlinear relationships among regional and well logging data. To address this issue, A prediction model based on Adaboost-WOA-BP is proposed for predicting TOC content. This model integrates Whale Optimization Algorithm optimized Backpropagation neural networks as weak learners within the Adaboost framework to construct a strong learner. Use of optimal natural gamma, density, acoustic time difference, and other sensitive logging parameters associated with TOC content calculation as inputs for the prediction model. Compared to conventional linear regression, BP neural networks and WOA-BP neural networks, the Adaboost-WOA-BP model demonstrates higher predictive accuracy, achieving a 95% match between predicted and measured TOC values.