← All names

Shaye

Boy name · 38 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Shaye: 38 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 7 births in 2011.

Of Irish origin, Shaye is a modern unisex variant of the surname Shay, itself anglicised from the Gaelic Ó Séaghdha, meaning “admirable” or “hawk-like.” The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world from the 1970s onwards, often chosen for its soft, lyrical sound. Notable bearers include American historian Shaye J. D. Cohen, an expert on early Judaism, and actress Shaye Cogan, best known for 1940s film musicals. While no major places are named after a Shaye, the name shares its root with the River Shee in Ireland. As a variant of Shay, it also occasionally