Shaye
Primarily a girl's name of Irish origin with 2,179 recorded births. Also given to 664 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name transferred from the surname or from Irish, variant of Shay.
Shaye is a boy's and girl's baby name of Irish origin, a variant of Shay or Séadha, from the Irish Séadha, possibly connected to síde (fairy mound) or an anglicization of an Irish name, meaning 'gift' or 'admirable' — a warm, accessible Irish name used for both boys and girls.
With over 664 recorded births, Shaye is a variant of Shay — the Irish name that has been embraced across English-speaking communities. It has a natural, easy warmth — one syllable that feels simultaneously Irish and modern. As a boy's name, Shaye has a gentle, unforced quality that sits comfortably alongside other short Irish-heritage names like Finn, Cian, and Quinn.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Shaye's final sounds are open, approachable — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. In English-language naming, many feminine names end on open vowels or soft consonants, creating a melodic, approachable quality. Shaye follows that feminine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Shaye's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Shaye was #2260 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #17263, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 68 | #9422 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 222 | #6607 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 603 | #2963 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 734 | #2107 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 265 | #3602 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 197 | #3648 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 63 | #6132 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 27 | #4599 | — |
The Story of Shaye
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 1998, Shaye is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Shaye are most likely born between 1988 and 2008.
How rare is Shaye?
Only about 1 in every 720,000 babies born in 2024 was named Shaye — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1951, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1990s with 734 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Shaye by the numbers
- Would fill 45 school buses
- Meeting one Shaye per day would take 6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(67 years, 1951–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | #17263 |
| 2023 | 14 | #7992 |
| 2022 | 18 | #6671 |
| 2021 | 12 | #8895 |
| 2020 | 19 | #6287 |
| 2019 | 10 | #10371 |
| 2018 | 19 | #6486 |
| 2017 | 9 | #11479 |
| 2016 | 22 | #5958 |
| 2015 | 30 | #4703 |
| 2014 | 18 | #6946 |
| 2013 | 31 | #4632 |
| 2012 | 23 | #5867 |
| 2011 | 28 | #5045 |
| 2010 | 32 | #4587 |
| 2009 | 39 | #4005 |
| 2008 | 40 | #3999 |
| 2007 | 36 | #4282 |
| 2006 | 55 | #3083 |
| 2005 | 50 | #3164 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Shaye as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Shaye has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 664 births since 1962.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shaye a boy's or girl's name?
When was Shaye most popular?
How popular is the name Shaye?
Can Shaye be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1951–2024