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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Shay — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Shawnee|Shaya
Irish◈ Unisex · 54% boy · 46% girl↓ Fading

◈= unisex (gender-neutral)

Shay

◈

SHAY · 1 syllables

Share Shay:
Compare with another name
Girl
#1158
↓ Fading
Girl
#1158
Popularity score: 29
↓ Fading
Peak
#903 in 2021
5yr
-159 ranks
Velocity
-159
Birth frequency
5.8 per 100,000 births
Boy
#1701
Popularity score: 25
↑ Rising
Peak
#1589 in 2021
5yr
+98 ranks
Velocity
+98
Birth frequency
2.7 per 100,000 births

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

BOY
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #1701 · Rising since 2020

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
Irish boy names
Shay

Popularity score: 25  ·  SSA Rank: #1701

GIRL
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #1158 · Falling since 2020

All US girl names
Top 200 girl names
Irish girl names
Shay

Popularity score: 29  ·  SSA Rank: #1158

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
55
Higher than 55% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
↓ Fading
-159 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
80
4 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class

Shay scores well on uniqueness but there are tradeoffs — the popularity trend is fading.

Meaning Depth37% of score
60
Name Trend28% of score
32
Uniqueness20% of score
80
Feasibility15% of score
50

Scores are percentile-ranked across 43,000+ names.

Name DNA
IrishCelticNatureUnisex1-syllableModernCoolShort-form
Character
hawk-like perceptionadmirable bearing
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Shays

creativegracefulexpressivedisciplinedathletic
STRONG
High confidence

Shay is an Irish unisex name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #1158 in the US in 2024.

Trend:↓ Fading · -159 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:#1701 · rare
Shay at a Glance
Meaning:Derived from Séaghdha, meaning 'admirable' or 'hawk-like.' Associated with wisdom and keen perception in Irish tradition.
Language root:Old Irish · Gaelic
Peak rank:#903 in 2021
5yr change:-159 ranks
Sex usage:Girl #1158 · Boy #1701
Notable bearers
Shay Given
Professional footballer
Shay Carl
YouTube personality and vlogger
Shay Haley
The Neptunes member and musician
Shay Mitchell
Actress and producer
Shay Mooney
Professional dancer
Similar Sound
Shea◈Shai◈Jay◈Ray◈FayBray◈
Similar Style
Finn◈Rowan◈Rory◈CianSoren◈Kai◈
Works well with
Wren◈IvyRowan◈PhoebeBeckett◈HazelSiennaStellan◈
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Ailany
Irish · #101
↑↑ Surging
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Shay illustration
Name Intelligence
Shay · Overview
Summary

Shay is an Irish unisex name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #1158 in the US in 2024.

Strengths
Works for any sex
54% boy · 46% girl. A genuinely unisex name is rare at this level of distinctiveness.
Nature character
Shay carries a cool, grounded quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Popularity declining
Rank has dropped 159 positions in the last year. Consider whether this trajectory matters for your decision.
Domain taken
shay.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
Explore

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Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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