Rising since 2022.
Popularity of Shailey since 1989
Babies named Shailey per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 91 |
| 2000s | 193 |
| 2010s | 102 |
| 2020s | 18 |
Meaning & origin
Shailey is a modern American name that first appeared on the Social Security Administration's records in 1989, a relatively recent debut compared to many traditional names. Its popularity peaked in 2003, and after a period of decline, it has been rising again since 2022. The name has never ranked in the top 1,000, reflecting its uncommon but consistent use. Likely a respelling of Shaylee or a variant of the Irish surname Shailagh, Shailey fits a pattern of invented or creatively spelled names favored in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Its sound aligns with names like Kaitlyn and Mackenzie, and it has not been concentrated in any particular state.
Shailey appears to be a modern coinage, first recorded in the United States in 1989. It may derive from the Irish surname Shailagh (an anglicized form of Ó Séaghdha, meaning 'descendant of Séaghdha', a given name meaning 'admirable' or 'hawk-like'), or it could be a respelling of the invented name Shaylee. Its spelling with 'ey' gives it a contemporary, feminine feel.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shae, Lee, Shay
Sibling names for Shailey
Names that share Shailey's style, for a brother or sister.
