Shae Unisex

Popularity: #856 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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.

MaeJadeClaireFayeLilaSkye

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.

ShayShaunaShiraSageShilohSheaShyla

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Shae was first seen in the United States in 1951.

Shae has ranked as high as #1395 nationally, which occurred in 1998, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Illinois, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 104 12 92
2024 111 23 88
2023 145 26 119
2022 125 26 99
2021 138 22 116
2020 106 15 91
2019 108 13 95
2018 126 17 109
2017 93 15 78
2016 113 14 99
2015 144 15 129
2014 119 19 100
2013 153 21 132
2012 98 17 81
2011 104 26 78
2010 111 19 92
2009 140 25 115
2008 146 32 114
2007 169 35 134
2006 204 54 150
2005 174 39 135
2004 214 37 177
2003 196 50 146
2002 193 36 157
2001 181 31 150
2000 220 47 173
1999 257 54 203
1998 277 50 227
1997 249 59 190
1996 235 51 184
1995 237 59 178
1994 214 48 166
1993 236 59 177
1992 175 57 118
1991 192 53 139
1990 168 70 98
1989 166 37 129
1988 150 45 105
1987 140 36 104
1986 106 32 74
1985 72 22 50
1984 67 17 50
1983 62 10 52
1982 66 7 59
1981 71 8 63
1980 65 16 49
1979 67 13 54
1978 62 15 47
1977 69 22 47
1976 70 14 56
1975 66 17 49
1974 59 12 47
1973 71 19 52
1972 49 15 34
1971 52 7 45
1970 55 12 43
1969 26 7 19
1968 16 0 16
1967 14 0 14
1966 11 0 11
1965 11 0 11
1964 9 0 9
1963 7 0 7
1962 12 0 12
1961 5 0 5
1959 7 0 7
1952 5 0 5
1951 11 0 11

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NY 11
30%
MA 9
24%
PA 7
19%
CA 5
14%
IL 5
14%