Shay is a moderately popular boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #415 in 2023 with 95 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2010 with 338 births ranking #164. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 156.8%. In 2023, approximately 1 in every 2,912 boys born was named Shay. FALLING Recent data shows the name is currently falling.
Shay is a genuine multi-origin name. Behind the Name lists it both as an anglicised Irish form of Séaghdha and as an alternate transcription of the Hebrew name Shai.
Because both routes are established, the safest published treatment is to present Shay as multi-origin rather than force one meaning. In Irish use it follows an older Gaelic name, while in Hebrew use it belongs to a separate established line.