Shae Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: shay //ʃeɪ//
Origin: Irish; English
Meaning: Irish: 'admirable'; English: 'from the fairy palace'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Shae is believed to have roots in the Irish name Shea, which itself is derived from the Gaelic name "Séaghdha," meaning "admirable" or "hawk-like." The transition from Séaghdha to Shea occurred as the name was Anglicized, particularly during the 19th century when Irish names were adapted to fit English phonetics. The spelling Shae likely emerged as a modern variation, reflecting contemporary naming trends that favor unique or phonetic spellings.
Historically, the name Shea has been associated with various figures in Irish history and literature. Notably, Shea has been used as a surname and has connections to notable Irish families and clans.
The name's association with the Gaelic language and culture has contributed to its enduring presence in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora. The use of Shea in literature can be traced back to the 19th century, with its presence in Irish poetry and folklore, which often celebrated the virtues of bravery and nobility, aligning with the name's meanings.
Culturally, the name Shae and its variants have resonated within communities that value heritage and tradition. The name embodies qualities of strength and admiration, making it a fitting choice for those who wish to honor their Irish roots.
Additionally, diminutive forms like Shay have emerged, further enriching the name's cultural tapestry. The evolution of Shae reflects broader trends in naming practices, where traditional names are adapted to suit modern sensibilities while retaining their historical significance.
Famous people named Shae
In this section, you will find notable people named Shae. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Shae who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Shae who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Shae Ward is a musician best known for her work in the country music genre.
Shae-Lynn Bourne is a former competitive ice dancer best known for winning the World Ice Dance Championships.
Shae McGowan is a professional rugby player best known for playing with the Australian national team.
Fictional characters named Shae
The following list of fictional characters named Shae is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Shae is a fictional character from the TV series Game of Thrones. She is a courtesan who becomes a significant figure in the life of Tyrion Lannister.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Shae, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Shae. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Shae was first seen in the United States in 1951.
Shae has ranked as high as #1038 nationally, which occurred in 1998, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Shae has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Shae is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Shae was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Shae (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 11 | |
| MA | 9 | |
| PA | 7 | |
| CA | 5 | |
| IL | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Shae.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 88 |
| 2023 | 119 |
| 2022 | 99 |
| 2021 | 116 |
| 2020 | 91 |
| 2019 | 95 |
| 2018 | 109 |
| 2017 | 78 |
| 2016 | 99 |
| 2015 | 129 |
| 2014 | 100 |
| 2013 | 132 |
| 2012 | 81 |
| 2011 | 78 |
| 2010 | 92 |
| 2009 | 115 |
| 2008 | 114 |
| 2007 | 134 |
| 2006 | 150 |
| 2005 | 135 |
| 2004 | 177 |
| 2003 | 146 |
| 2002 | 157 |
| 2001 | 150 |
| 2000 | 173 |
| 1999 | 203 |
| 1998 | 227 |
| 1997 | 190 |
| 1996 | 184 |
| 1995 | 178 |
| 1994 | 166 |
| 1993 | 177 |
| 1992 | 118 |
| 1991 | 139 |
| 1990 | 98 |
| 1989 | 129 |
| 1988 | 105 |
| 1987 | 104 |
| 1986 | 74 |
| 1985 | 50 |
| 1984 | 50 |
| 1983 | 52 |
| 1982 | 59 |
| 1981 | 63 |
| 1980 | 49 |
| 1979 | 54 |
| 1978 | 47 |
| 1977 | 47 |
| 1976 | 55 |
| 1975 | 49 |
| 1974 | 47 |
| 1973 | 52 |
| 1972 | 34 |
| 1971 | 45 |
| 1970 | 43 |
| 1969 | 19 |
| 1968 | 16 |
| 1967 | 14 |
| 1966 | 11 |
| 1965 | 11 |
| 1964 | 9 |
| 1963 | 7 |
| 1962 | 12 |
| 1961 | 5 |
| 1959 | 7 |
| 1952 | 5 |
| 1951 | 11 |