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Shay Unisex

Popularity: #742 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationSHAY / /ʃeɪ/

Irish; Hebrew

Meaning

Irish: 'admirable'; Hebrew: 'gift'

Historical & Cultural Background

Shay is a name of Irish origin, often used as a diminutive of the name Shane. In Hebrew, it is associated with the meaning of 'gift' and is sometimes used for both boys and girls. The name has gained popularity in various cultures, particularly in English-speaking countries. Its unisex nature contributes to its appeal in contemporary naming trends.

Trend Summary

Shay has seen a steady increase in popularity for girls in the United States over the past few decades.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Shae
  • Shaye

International Variants

  • Shai (Hebrew)
  • Sé (Irish)

Famous people named Shay

Shay Mitchell is a Canadian actress known for her role in the television series 'Pretty Little Liars'.

Shay Carl is an American YouTuber and entrepreneur recognized for his family vlogs and online presence.

Shay Given is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for various clubs and the national team.

Fictional characters named Shay

Shay is a character in the 'Uglies' series by Scott Westerfeld, known for her rebellious spirit.

Shay is a character in the animated series 'The Lion Guard', serving as a friend to the main characters.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Shay was first seen in the United States in 1953. Shay has ranked as high as #1094 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Illinois, New York, and Florida. In the past 5 years the name Shay has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Shay (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 27
18%
NY 17
11%
FL 12
8%
IL 12
8%
TX 12
8%
MA 11
7%
MN 11
7%
NJ 9
6%
PA 8
5%
WI 7
5%
OR 5
3%
IN 5
3%
SC 5
3%
MD 5
3%
AZ 5
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19537
19546
19555
19566
195715
19587
19599
196011
196120
196229
196327
196418
196533
196622
196728
196834
196953
1970133
1971149
1972116
1973115
1974130
197598
197684
197765
1978107
197989
1980134
1981115
1982100
198392
198497
198593
198692
1987114
1988106
1989124
1990128
1991117
1992129
1993127
1994157
1995161
1996158
1997157
1998148
1999167
2000156
2001125
2002140
2003131
2004141
2005123
2006122
2007127
2008148
2009109
2010112
2011102
201284
2013115
2014144
2015172
2016171
2017180
2018168
2019199
2020277
2021300
2022301
2023255
2024208