Shay
Shay is a boy's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Courteous, stately, or hawk-like (from Gaelic Séaghdha); also associated with 'supplanter' via Séamus.
Origin and history
Shay is an Anglicized form of the Irish name Séaghdha or Séamus. It has long been used for both boys and girls in the United States, offering a soft yet distinct single-syllable option. While moderately uncommon, it maintains a steady presence in U.S. naming charts.
Popularity in the United States
5,024 babies in the United States have been named Shay since 1880. It ranks #1722 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1379.
States where it is most popular
- CA (30 %)
- TX (13.8 %)
- NY (9.4 %)
- IL (5 %)
- PA (4.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 5 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 15 |
| 1960-1970 | 176 |
| 1970-1980 | 726 |
| 1980-1990 | 846 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,146 |
| 2000-2010 | 853 |
| 2010-2019 | 694 |
| 2020-2029 | 563 |
Famous people named Shay
- Shay Carl Butler: Vlogger, Entrepreneur
- Shay Given: Soccer Player
Fun facts
- Shay derives primarily from the Old Irish name Séaghdha, which historically signified someone admirable or hawk-like.
- Although given to thousands of boys in the U.S., Shay is also frequently used for girls, often spelled as Shea.