Shea
Shea is a girl's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Stately, admirable, or hawk-like.
Origin and history
Shea is an Anglicized form of the Irish name Séaghdha, traditionally meaning stately, hawk-like, or favorable. Although historically used primarily for males in Ireland, it has gained steady unisex popularity in the United States, including for girls. It offers a soft, modern, single-syllable sound with deep Celtic roots.
Popularity in the United States
12,565 babies in the United States have been named Shea since 1880. It ranks #1437 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1026.
States where it is most popular
- CA (13.1 %)
- TX (9.3 %)
- NY (9.3 %)
- PA (6.3 %)
- IL (6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 64 |
| 1960-1970 | 292 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,277 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,832 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,747 |
| 2000-2010 | 3,056 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,954 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,343 |
Famous people named Shea
- Shea Joelle James: Actress
Fun facts
- Derived from the Old Irish word 'séaghdha', it was originally an epithet for a wise or stately person.
- In the United States, Shea is regularly used for both boys and girls as a sleek, modern choice.