Shea Unisex
Origin(s)
PronunciationSHAY / /ʃeɪ/Irish; Hebrew
Meaning
Irish: 'admirable'; Hebrew: 'gift'
Historical & Cultural Background
Shea is a name of Irish origin, often used as a unisex name but more commonly given to girls in recent years. In Irish culture, it is derived from the surname Ó Séaghdha, which means 'descendant of Séaghdha'. The name has also been associated with Hebrew roots, where it signifies 'gift'. The name has gained popularity in various English-speaking countries.
Trend Summary
Shea has seen a steady rise in popularity for girls in the United States over the past few decades.
Similar Names
Variants
- Shay
- Shea
International Variants
- Sé (Irish)
- Shai (Hebrew)
Famous people named Shea
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Fictional characters named Shea
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Sibling Suggestions
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)
Top States for Shea (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 23 | |
| NJ | 20 | |
| CT | 19 | |
| IL | 19 | |
| CA | 17 | |
| PA | 16 | |
| MA | 14 | |
| AZ | 8 | |
| NC | 6 | |
| TX | 6 | |
| VA | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 7 |
| 1951 | 7 |
| 1953 | 6 |
| 1955 | 8 |
| 1956 | 8 |
| 1957 | 9 |
| 1958 | 8 |
| 1959 | 11 |
| 1960 | 13 |
| 1961 | 13 |
| 1962 | 11 |
| 1963 | 9 |
| 1964 | 25 |
| 1965 | 21 |
| 1966 | 36 |
| 1967 | 43 |
| 1968 | 42 |
| 1969 | 79 |
| 1970 | 114 |
| 1971 | 127 |
| 1972 | 125 |
| 1973 | 127 |
| 1974 | 155 |
| 1975 | 118 |
| 1976 | 112 |
| 1977 | 118 |
| 1978 | 130 |
| 1979 | 151 |
| 1980 | 154 |
| 1981 | 136 |
| 1982 | 132 |
| 1983 | 119 |
| 1984 | 179 |
| 1985 | 193 |
| 1986 | 206 |
| 1987 | 229 |
| 1988 | 253 |
| 1989 | 231 |
| 1990 | 228 |
| 1991 | 266 |
| 1992 | 272 |
| 1993 | 243 |
| 1994 | 287 |
| 1995 | 260 |
| 1996 | 286 |
| 1997 | 309 |
| 1998 | 315 |
| 1999 | 281 |
| 2000 | 321 |
| 2001 | 327 |
| 2002 | 294 |
| 2003 | 318 |
| 2004 | 329 |
| 2005 | 348 |
| 2006 | 296 |
| 2007 | 293 |
| 2008 | 278 |
| 2009 | 252 |
| 2010 | 199 |
| 2011 | 172 |
| 2012 | 171 |
| 2013 | 197 |
| 2014 | 206 |
| 2015 | 191 |
| 2016 | 234 |
| 2017 | 184 |
| 2018 | 195 |
| 2019 | 205 |
| 2020 | 207 |
| 2021 | 242 |
| 2022 | 245 |
| 2023 | 247 |
| 2024 | 200 |