Is Shea a boy's or girl's name?

Shea is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 8,427 recorded births.

When was Shea most popular?

Shea reached its peak popularity in 2005 with 348 births that year. It is currently ranked #1187 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Shea?

Shea is currently ranked #1187 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 12,363 babies since 1950.

Shea

An uncommon Irish pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysIrishDeclining Also a pet name

#1187▼ 160in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A surname from Irish.

Shea is a girl's and boy's baby name of Irish origin, from the Gaelic surname Ó Séaghdha, meaning 'admirable, hawk-like' or 'fine, stately,' from the Gaelic séaghdha (admirable, fine).

Shea has a warmth that few single-syllable names match — it's the kind of name that feels immediately friendly. Shea Stadium (home of the New York Mets from 1964-2008) gave it a New York sports heritage. In the U.S. it's used for both boys and girls but trends female, sitting beautifully alongside names like Shay, Mae, and Bea.

Compare Shea with another name

Popularity Over Time

Shea was #785 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1187, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Shea
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,141	#1090	▼
2010s	1,954	#1240	▼
2000s	3,056	#841	▲
1990s	2,747	#765	▲
1980s	1,832	#909	▲
1970s	1,277	#1007	▲
1960s	292	#2860	▲
1950s	64	#4723	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(73 years, 1950–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Shea
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	200	#1187	-47 (-19.0%)
2023	247	#1027	+2 (0.8%)
2022	245	#1046	+3 (1.2%)
2021	242	#1044	+35 (16.9%)
2020	207	#1148	+2 (1.0%)
2019	205	#1167	+10 (5.1%)
2018	195	#1213	+11 (6.0%)
2017	184	#1286	-50 (-21.4%)
2016	234	#1101	+43 (22.5%)
2015	191	#1277	-15 (-7.3%)
2014	206	#1192	+9 (4.6%)
2013	197	#1225	+26 (15.2%)
2012	171	#1373	-1 (-0.6%)
2011	172	#1347	-27 (-13.6%)
2010	199	#1220	-53 (-21.0%)
2009	252	#1034	-26 (-9.4%)
2008	278	#966	-15 (-5.1%)
2007	293	#925	-3 (-1.0%)
2006	296	#898	-52 (-14.9%)
2005	348	#764	+19 (5.8%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Shea as a Boy's Name

Shea is a true unisex name. As a boy's name, it has 8,427 recorded births since 1954.

#1494

Current rank

8,427

Total births

1986

Peak year

Compare Shea as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Shea be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Shea is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #1187. As a boy's name, it ranks #1494.

Shea has two lives

Shea, the baby name

#1187girls

12,363 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1950–2024) · Methodology