Shay

Updated: October 20, 2023 by Stephanie Graham

Shay is a unisex baby name that comes from either Irish or Hebrew. Shay hasn’t enjoyed consistent popularity but this name deserves a second look.

Meaning and Origin of the name Shay:

Shay is a gender-neutral name of Irish and Hebrew origins meaning “esteemed,” “majestic,” or “gift.”

Shay has two possible origins and meanings. Shay is a variant of the Irish Gaelic name Shea, which is derived from the the surname name Ó Séaghdha (meaning “descendant of Séaghdha”). The Ó in Irish surnames means “descendant” and Séaghdha means “magestic.” Shay is also a variant of the Hebrew name Shai and means “gift.”

Symbolism of the name Shay:

Shay is majestic and a gift like the most valuable golden treasure.

Nicknames for the name Shay:

Shay is a short and sweet name that doesn't have any common nicknames. Because it's such a short name, it can't be shortened to create a nickname. You can, however, create fun, personalized nicknames based on the name Shay. Below is a list of examples for fun nicknames you can create for your baby.

Shay Say
Shay Bear
Shy
Shy Shy

Style of the name Shay:

Traditional

Gender of the name Shay:

Shay is a name given to both boys and girls.

Pronunciation of the name Shay:

SHAY

Number of syllables in the name Shay:

One

Emotion evoked from the name Shay:

Shay evokes feelings of compassion and kindness.

Alternative spellings for the name Shay:

Sé
Séaghdha
Shea (Irish)
Shai (Hebrew)

Popularity of the name Shay:

According to the Social Security Administration, Shay is a unisex baby name. As a girl’s name, Shay has only been in the top 1000 names in four years: 1970-71, 1974, and 2020. As a boy’s name, Shay was in the top 1000 names between 1970 and 1980 and between 1987 and 1995.