Shay
How to say it: SHAY · /ˈʃeɪ/
Irish diminutive of Seamus/Shamus (from Hebrew 'supplanter'); also used independently as a given name.
Shay was the 699th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 261 babies of either sex (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up about 9% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #687 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #699 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 (both sexes) | 261 |
| Share of births | 1 in 5,785 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | +9% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #687 |
| In France, 2025 | #2,541 among girls’ names, 10 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Currently at its strongest, Shay is climbing with this decade as its best in the 2020s. Resting at the peak, it is set to climb further.
What goes with it
A single breathy syllable gives a spare and open quality. Sage belongs beside it in style.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Shay is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French, Hebrew, Irish.
In France: #2,541 for girls in 2025.
Ireland: #53.
Famous people named Shay
- Shay Given (born 1976)Irish association football player
- Shay Astar (born 1981)American actress, singer-songwriter
- Shay Facey (born 1995)English association football player
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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