Declining since 2021, #1,225 for girls today.
Popularity of Shay since 1932
Babies named Shay per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 5 |
| 1940s | 0 | 0 |
| 1950s | 55 | 15 |
| 1960s | 275 | 176 |
| 1970s | 1,086 | 726 |
| 1980s | 1,067 | 846 |
| 1990s | 1,449 | 1,146 |
| 2000s | 1,323 | 853 |
| 2010s | 1,447 | 694 |
| 2020s | 1,525 | 563 |
Meaning & origin
Shay first appeared on the U.S. naming charts in 1953, reflecting a modern trend toward short, melodic names. As of 2025, it holds a rank of 1,225, with about 1 in 8,735 newborns receiving the name. Its popularity peaked in 2022, but it has been falling since 2021. The name is most common in Pennsylvania (PA), Minnesota (MN), and Massachusetts (MA). While its origins are debated, Shay fits comfortably within the Irish and French naming traditions and works well for any gender.
Shay is a unisex name with multiple possible origins. It is often considered a variant of Shea, an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Séaghdha, meaning 'descendant of Séaghdha', a personal name meaning 'admirable' or 'hawk-like'. Alternatively, it may be a respelling of the French name Shaye or a modern coinage derived from the syllable 'shay'. The name gained moderate popularity in the United States from the mid-20th century onward, with a peak in 2022.
Where Shay is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Shay” around the world
Where Shay lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Ireland
#52
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Shay
Names that share Shay's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Quinn, Maeve, Nora, Briar, Teagan, Blaire, Darci, Delaney, Shalon, Zendaya, Farren, Ramey, Raney, Sha, Shada, Swayze, Teghan, Tyne, Shyasia, Tawn, Chanley, Tonee, Kampbell, Sashay, Sham
Brothers: Kieran, Liam, Finn, Declan, Rowan, Cordell, Cyle, Donavin, Shaw, Vann, Bayne, Britten, Chantz, Codee, Dushawn, Heith, Maddon, Shady, Shamon, Suede, Whitt, Chayne, Tivon, Deaken, Delance, Mays, Rahm, Schon
