Shay
Say it: SHAY
Boy4 letters1 syllable
#52
in Ireland (2025)
#54 with spellings combined
101
babies in 2025
#39
best rank (2022)
2,021
babies since 1972
Up 24
10-year rank change
Shay through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 101 | #54 |
| 2024 | 107 | #53 |
| 2023 | 109 | #55 |
| 2022 | 152 | #39 |
| 2021 | 126 | #55 |
| 2020 | 117 | #54 |
| 2019 | 103 | #64 |
| 2018 | 98 | #70 |
| 2017 | 86 | #84 |
| 2016 | 88 | #78 |
| 2015 | 98 | #78 |
| 2014 | 97 | #83 |
| 2013 | 104 | #76 |
| 2012 | 69 | #103 |
| 2011 | 72 | #106 |
| 2010 | 99 | #78 |
| 2009 | 78 | #97 |
| 2008 | 63 | #119 |
| 2007 | 47 | #134 |
| 2006 | 42 | #132 |
| 2005 | 29 | #158 |
| 2004 | 22 | #171 |
| 2003 | 16 | #187 |
| 2002 | 17 | #185 |
| 2001 | 12 | #209 |
| 2000 | 6 | #274 |
| 1999 | 6 | #266 |
| 1998 | 10 | #203 |
| 1997 | 12 | #209 |
| 1996 | 5 | #295 |
| 1994 | 4 | #299 |
| 1990 | 3 | #323 |
| 1987 | 3 | #303 |
| 1985 | 3 | #304 |
| 1984 | 3 | #318 |
| 1980 | 3 | #321 |
| 1977 | 4 | #293 |
| 1975 | 3 | #321 |
| 1972 | 4 | #279 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Shay mean?
Uncertain
Irish, a pet form of Séamus and an English spelling of the surname Shea, from Ó Séaghdha.
Say it right
SHAY
The story of Shay
Shay has two roots, both Irish. It has long been the everyday short form of Séamus, the Irish version of James. It is also an English spelling of the surname Shea, from the Irish Ó Séaghdha, a family name that began in the old kingdom of Corcu Duibne in County Kerry. The meaning of Séaghdha is not settled, so Shay has no single agreed meaning.
Two well-known Irish bearers show the Séamus link. The goalkeeper Shay Given, one of the most capped players in the history of the Republic of Ireland team, was born Seamus. Shay Healy, the songwriter and broadcaster, wrote “What’s Another Year”, Ireland’s winning Eurovision song of 1980.
As a registered name Shay first reached the CSO list in 1972 and stayed small for years. It grew through the 2000s and had its best year in 2022, with 152 boys and number 39. It is much less common in Northern Ireland, where its best place was 93rd, in 2009.
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Sources
- Wiktionary: Shay (English proper noun)
- Wiktionary: Shea (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: O'Shea
- Wikipedia: Shay Given
- Wikipedia: Shay Healy
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, Baby Names in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Shay | 101 | 2,021 |
In Northern Ireland
#212 in 2025 with 9 babies. Best rank #93 (2009); 541 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.
Shay is also given to girls: 3 since 2022.