Shea Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SHAY //ʃeɪ//
Origin: Irish; Hebrew
Meaning: Irish: 'admirable'; Hebrew: 'gift'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Shea has its roots in the Irish language, derived from the Gaelic name "Séaghdha," which means "admirable" or "hawk-like." The transition of the name into English occurred through the Anglicization of Irish names during the 19th century, as Irish immigrants brought their cultural heritage to English-speaking countries. The spelling variations, including Shea, emerged as a result of phonetic adaptations to fit English pronunciation and orthographic conventions.
Historically, the name Shea is associated with various figures in Irish history and mythology. One notable reference is to the legendary hero and warrior, who is often depicted in tales of valor and bravery.
The name has also been borne by several saints, contributing to its significance in Irish culture. The use of the name in literature can be traced back to the 20th century, where it appeared in works that explored themes of identity and heritage, further embedding it within the cultural narrative.
Culturally, Shea carries connotations of strength and resilience, qualities that resonate with the Irish spirit. The name has been embraced in various forms, including the diminutive "Shay," which has also gained recognition.
The enduring nature of the name can be attributed to its deep roots in Irish tradition and its association with positive attributes, making it a symbol of pride for those of Irish descent. Overall, Shea reflects a rich linguistic and cultural heritage, embodying the values and history of the Irish people.
Famous people named Shea
In this section, you will find notable people named Shea. 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 Shea who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Shea 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.
Shea Couleé is a drag performer and singer best known for RuPaul's Drag Race, Drag Race All Stars, and her music career.
Shea Patterson is a professional football player best known for playing quarterback at the University of Michigan and in the NFL.
Shea Whigham is an actor best known for Boardwalk Empire, True Detective, and Joker.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Shea, 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 Shea. 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 Shea was first seen in the United States in 1950.
Shea has ranked as high as #1005 nationally, which occurred in 2005, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Shea has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Shea 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 Shea was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Shea (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 | 23 | |
| NJ | 20 | |
| CT | 19 | |
| IL | 19 | |
| CA | 17 | |
| PA | 16 | |
| MA | 14 | |
| AZ | 8 | |
| TX | 6 | |
| VA | 6 | |
| NC | 6 |
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 Shea.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 200 |
| 2023 | 247 |
| 2022 | 245 |
| 2021 | 242 |
| 2020 | 207 |
| 2019 | 205 |
| 2018 | 195 |
| 2017 | 184 |
| 2016 | 234 |
| 2015 | 191 |
| 2014 | 206 |
| 2013 | 197 |
| 2012 | 171 |
| 2011 | 172 |
| 2010 | 199 |
| 2009 | 252 |
| 2008 | 278 |
| 2007 | 293 |
| 2006 | 296 |
| 2005 | 348 |
| 2004 | 329 |
| 2003 | 318 |
| 2002 | 294 |
| 2001 | 327 |
| 2000 | 321 |
| 1999 | 281 |
| 1998 | 315 |
| 1997 | 309 |
| 1996 | 286 |
| 1995 | 260 |
| 1994 | 287 |
| 1993 | 243 |
| 1992 | 272 |
| 1991 | 266 |
| 1990 | 228 |
| 1989 | 231 |
| 1988 | 253 |
| 1987 | 229 |
| 1986 | 206 |
| 1985 | 193 |
| 1984 | 179 |
| 1983 | 119 |
| 1982 | 132 |
| 1981 | 136 |
| 1980 | 154 |
| 1979 | 151 |
| 1978 | 130 |
| 1977 | 118 |
| 1976 | 112 |
| 1975 | 118 |
| 1974 | 155 |
| 1973 | 127 |
| 1972 | 125 |
| 1971 | 127 |
| 1970 | 114 |
| 1969 | 79 |
| 1968 | 42 |
| 1967 | 43 |
| 1966 | 36 |
| 1965 | 21 |
| 1964 | 25 |
| 1963 | 9 |
| 1962 | 11 |
| 1961 | 13 |
| 1960 | 13 |
| 1959 | 11 |
| 1958 | 8 |
| 1957 | 9 |
| 1956 | 8 |
| 1955 | 8 |
| 1953 | 6 |
| 1951 | 7 |
| 1950 | 7 |