Shay
Shay: name meaning, origin and popularity
Meaning and origin of Shay
- A unisex given name transferred from the surname.
- A diminutive of the male given name Seamus.
Etymology
Variant of Shea, from Irish Ó Séaghdha.
How popular is Shay?
Since 1880, 8,227 girls and 5,024 boys in the U.S. have been named Shay (62% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #894 in 1971. Its highest rank for boys was #837 in 1991. In 2025, 261 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Shay
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname unisex names
Sibling name ideas for Shay
Sister and brother names that share Shay's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Shay FAQ
What does the name Shay mean?
A unisex given name transferred from the surname. A diminutive of the male given name Seamus. Variant of Shea, from Irish Ó Séaghdha.
What is the origin of the name Shay?
Shay is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Shay?
Since 1880, 8,227 girls and 5,024 boys in the U.S. have been named Shay (62% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #894 in 1971. Its highest rank for boys was #837 in 1991. In 2025, 261 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Shay a boy or girl name?
Shay is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (8,227 girls and 5,024 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.