"hawk-like"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
Shea
Pronunciation: [ sh-AY ]
Does Shea flow with your last name?
Hawk-like and stately — the Irish surname name with urban cool
Irish
American
English
Earthy
Modern
Bold
Unique
Playful
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Things to Know About This Name
- Shea is increasingly used for girls in the US — some may expect a girl
The Story of Shea
Shea is an anglicization of the Irish surname O'Shea, from the Irish O Seaghdha, itself from seaghdha meaning stately, admirable, or hawk-like. The Irish word seaghdha is related to the hawk, symbolizing nobility and keen perception. As a given name, Shea emerged primarily in Irish-American communities as both a surname and first name, eventually crossing over to gender-neutral use in the broader American naming landscape.
Shea has been a gentle presence in American naming since the 20th century, associated particularly with Irish-American heritage. It gained cultural recognition through Shea Stadium in New York, named after attorney William Shea who brought National League baseball back to New York City in 1962. The stadium was beloved by Mets fans until its demolition in 2009.
In Irish-American culture, Shea carries the heritage of a prominent family name with historical roots in County Kerry, Ireland. The name evokes Irish pride and the hawk-like qualities of nobility and perception. Shea Stadium gave the name a beloved New York sporting legacy before being replaced by Citi Field.
Historical Record
Shea first appeared in US Social Security records in 1954.
Over 8,427 babies have been named Shea in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Shea is past its peak , currently ranked #1,494 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Shea Stadium in New York was beloved home of the Mets from 1964-2008 and named after attorney William A. Shea
- The Irish O'Shea family was historically based in County Kerry and County Tipperary
- Seaghdha (the Irish original) is pronounced roughly SHAY-uh, making Shea a natural anglicization
Shea in Other Languages
Irish
O Seaghdha
French
Shea
English
Shea
Spanish
Shea
Popularity Over Time
#1,494
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1986
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Shea
S
Shea Weber
Athlete
1985
Canadian professional ice hockey player and former captain of the Nashville Predators and Montreal Canadiens
S
Shea Whigham
Actor
1969
American character actor known for Boardwalk Empire, True Detective, and Homeland
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Compare Shea with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #1,494
- Total SSA Count
- 120
- Cultural Origins
- Irish American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
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, Irish heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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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 Shea
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Shea is also used as a girl name, ranked #1188.
View Shea as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Shea
What does the name Shea mean?
"hawk-like" (from Irish Gaelic). Shea is an anglicization of the Irish surname O'Shea, from the Irish O Seaghdha, itself from seaghdha meaning stately, admirable, or hawk-like. The Irish word seaghdha is related to the hawk, symbolizing nobility and keen perception. As a given name, Shea emerged primarily in Irish-American communities as both a surname and first name, eventually crossing over to gender-neutral use in the broader American naming landscape.
What is the origin of the name Shea?
Shea has Irish Gaelic, Irish, American, and English origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "hawk-like".
Is Shea a boy or girl name?
Shea is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1494. As a girl name, it is ranked #1188. Shea is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Shea?
Shea is pronounced sh-AY.
How popular is the name Shea?
Shea is currently ranked #1494 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Shea?
Popular middle name pairings include Shea Patrick, Shea Michael, Shea James, Shea Ryan, Shea Elliot, Shea Thomas, and Shea Cole.
What are good sibling names for Shea?
Names that pair well with Shea as siblings include Declan, Finn, Quinn, Rowan, Maeve, Sloane, and Kieran.
How many syllables does Shea have?
Shea has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Shea a common or rare name?
Shea is an uncommon name, ranked #1494 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Shea?
About the Name Shea
Shea is a boy name with Irish, American, and English origins . The name means "hawk-like" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Shea a boy or girl name? Shea is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,494 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #1,188. Shea is more commonly used as a girl name.
Shea is currently ranked #1,494 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Shea has 1 syllable and is pronounced sh-AY, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Shea include Shepherd, Shepard, Sheldon, Shelby, Sheppard . 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