"admirable, fine, fortunate"
Origin: Old Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
Shae
Does Shae flow with your last name?
A crisp Irish classic meaning 'admirable and fortunate'
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Australian
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Meaning & Origin
"gift, good-natured"
Origin: Gaelic
Language: English
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The Story of Shae
Shae is a phonetic spelling of the Irish name Shea (also Shay), which derives from the Gaelic 'O'Shea' or 'Mac Shea,' a clan name from Munster in southwest Ireland. The Gaelic 'seaghdha' (from which Shea derives) means 'admirable, fine, or fortunate.' The name has been in use in Ireland for centuries as both a surname and first name, and has spread widely to Irish diaspora communities in America, Australia, and the UK. The Shae spelling is a contemporary variant that has become gender-neutral.
Shae and its variants (Shay, Shea) have been rising steadily in the US and Australia since the 2000s, part of the wave of short Irish names crossing the Atlantic. The gender-neutral quality of the name — used for both boys and girls — fits contemporary naming preferences. It is used slightly more for girls in the US but remains a strong boy's choice in Irish communities.
The O'Shea family is one of the great Munster clans of Ireland, with centuries of history in County Kerry. Shea was historically a notable Irish-American name, with Shea Stadium (now Citi Field) in New York named after attorney William Shea, who worked to bring National League baseball back to New York in 1962. The name carries genuine Irish heritage.
Historical Record
Shae first appeared in US Social Security records in 1969.
Over 1,617 babies have been named Shae in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Shae is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #4,511 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Shea Stadium (opened 1964) was named after William Shea, who brought the New York Mets into existence — the most famous 'Shea' landmark in America
- The O'Shea clan has roots in County Kerry, one of Ireland's most scenic and culturally rich regions
- Shea is increasingly used for girls in the US, making Shae a genuinely gender-neutral name
Shae in Other Languages
Irish
Séaghdha
French
Shae
English
Shay
Spanish
Shae
Australian
Shae
Popularity Over Time
#4,511
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Shae
S
Shay Mitchell
Actor
1987
Canadian actress known for Pretty Little Liars and You, one of the most recognized bearers of this name variant
W
William Shea
Business
1907
American attorney and sports executive who successfully lobbied to bring National League baseball back to New York City,...
American attorney and sports executive who successfully lobbied to bring National League baseball back to New York City, leading to the creation of the Mets and the naming of Shea Stadium in his honor
S
Shae (Game of Thrones) Fictional
Other
A complex character in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, a woman of mysterious origins who becomes central to...
A complex character in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, a woman of mysterious origins who becomes central to Tyrion Lannister's story
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #4,511
- Total SSA Count
- 23
- Cultural Origins
- Irish American Australian English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Shae
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Shae is also used as a girl name, ranked #2150.
View Shae as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Shae
What does the name Shae mean?
"admirable, fine, fortunate" (from Old Irish Gaelic). "gift, good-natured" (from Gaelic). Shae is a phonetic spelling of the Irish name Shea (also Shay), which derives from the Gaelic 'O'Shea' or 'Mac Shea,' a clan name from Munster in southwest Ireland. The Gaelic 'seaghdha' (from which Shea derives) means 'admirable, fine, or fortunate.' The name has been in use in Ireland for centuries as both a surname and first name, and has spread widely to Irish diaspora communities in America, Australia, and the UK. The Shae spelling is a contemporary variant that has become gender-neutral.
What is the origin of the name Shae?
Shae has Old Irish Gaelic, Gaelic, Irish, American, Australian, and English origins. In Old Irish Gaelic, it means "admirable, fine, fortunate". In Gaelic, it means "gift, good-natured".
Is Shae a boy or girl name?
Shae is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4511. As a girl name, it is ranked #2150. Shae is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Shae?
Shae is currently ranked #4511 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Shae?
Popular middle name pairings include Shae Michael, Shae James, Shae Thomas, Shae Patrick, Shae Connor, Shae Lee, and Shae River.
What are good sibling names for Shae?
Names that pair well with Shae as siblings include Cael, Ronan, Declan, Finn, Keely, Niamh, and Quinn.
How many syllables does Shae have?
Shae has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Shae a common or rare name?
Shae is an uncommon name, ranked #4511 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Shae?
About the Name Shae
Shae is a boy name with Irish, American, Australian, and English origins . The name means "admirable, fine, fortunate" in Old Irish Gaelic .
Is Shae a boy or girl name? Shae is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,511 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,150. Shae is more commonly used as a girl name.
Shae is currently ranked #4,511 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Shae has 1 syllable, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Shae include Shane, Shawn, Shai, Shaya, Shaun . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis