Shay Unisex

Popularity: #764 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SHAY //ʃeɪ//

Origin: Irish; Hebrew

Meaning: Irish: 'admirable'; Hebrew: 'gift'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Shay has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the word "sha'ay," which means "gift" or "to be a gift." This etymology reflects a positive connotation associated with the name, emphasizing the value of the individual as a cherished presence. The name has also been linked to the Irish surname "Ó Séaghdha," which means "descendant of Séaghdha," a personal name meaning "admirable" or "hawk-like." This dual origin highlights the name's linguistic diversity and cultural significance across different traditions.

Historically, the name Shay has been used in various forms and contexts. In Hebrew culture, names often carry deep meanings and are associated with significant biblical figures.

While there are no specific biblical references to the name Shay itself, the concept of names as gifts resonates throughout the Hebrew scriptures. In Irish culture, the name has been borne by notable figures, contributing to its historical significance within that context.

The name's presence in literature and folklore has also helped to solidify its place in cultural memory, particularly in the context of Irish storytelling. Culturally, Shay is often associated with qualities such as strength and resilience, reflecting the characteristics attributed to those who bear the name.

The name has been embraced in various forms, including the diminutive "Shayla," which carries similar meanings. The enduring nature of the name can be attributed to its positive connotations and the cultural narratives that have surrounded it over the centuries.

As a name that bridges different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, Shay exemplifies the rich tapestry of human naming traditions.

Famous people named Shay

In this section, you will find notable people named Shay. 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 Shay who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Shay 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.

Shay Mitchell is an actress and model best known for Pretty Little Liars, You, and Dollface.

Shay Carl is a YouTuber and entrepreneur best known for Shaytards, ShayLoss, and his family vlogs.

Fictional characters named Shay

The following list of fictional characters named Shay 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.

Shay is a fictional character from the video game series Assassin's Creed. He is a former Assassin who becomes a Templar, leading to a conflict with his former allies.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Shay, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ShaneShaylaShayleeShaydenShaylin

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Shay. 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.

SageShiraShaylaSiaShylaShanShayleeShanna

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Shay was first seen in the United States in 1932.

Shay has ranked as high as #1356 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Florida.

In the past 5 years the name Shay has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Shay 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 Shay 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 Shay.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 261 77 184
2024 306 98 208
2023 345 90 255
2022 403 102 301
2021 409 109 300
2020 364 87 277
2019 273 74 199
2018 255 87 168
2017 252 72 180
2016 259 88 171
2015 234 62 172
2014 197 53 144
2013 168 53 115
2012 145 61 84
2011 178 76 102
2010 180 68 112
2009 195 86 109
2008 223 75 148
2007 215 88 127
2006 214 92 122
2005 213 90 123
2004 233 92 141
2003 232 101 131
2002 215 75 140
2001 186 61 125
2000 250 93 157
1999 251 84 167
1998 238 90 148
1997 258 101 157
1996 274 116 158
1995 290 129 161
1994 287 130 157
1993 242 115 127
1992 238 109 129
1991 271 154 117
1990 246 118 128
1989 247 123 124
1988 234 128 106
1987 220 106 114
1986 156 64 92
1985 166 73 93
1984 164 67 97
1983 149 57 92
1982 161 62 99
1981 195 79 116
1980 221 87 134
1979 175 86 89
1978 178 71 107
1977 142 77 65
1976 156 72 84
1975 172 74 98
1974 208 78 130
1973 194 79 115
1972 181 65 116
1971 204 55 149
1970 202 69 133
1969 91 38 53
1968 66 32 34
1967 39 11 28
1966 40 18 22
1965 41 8 33
1964 32 14 18
1963 41 14 27
1962 42 13 29
1961 36 16 20
1960 23 12 11
1959 14 5 9
1958 7 0 7
1957 20 5 15
1956 6 0 6
1955 5 0 5
1954 11 5 6
1953 7 0 7
1932 5 5 0

Top States for Shay (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
CA 46
23%
NY 26
13%
TX 17
9%
FL 12
6%
IL 12
6%
MA 11
6%
MN 11
6%
NJ 9
5%
PA 8
4%
WI 7
4%
MI 7
4%
CO 5
3%
AZ 5
3%
OR 5
3%
SC 5
3%
IN 5
3%
MD 5
3%