Meaning & History
Shay is an Anglicized form of the Irish name Séaghdha, sometimes used as a feminine name. It derives from Old Irish Ségdae, which likely comes from ségda meaning “fine, good, favourable, learned”.
In Irish legend, a boy named Séaghdha was set to be sacrificed but was saved by his mother. This story highlights the name’s ancient roots in Gaelic tradition. As an Anglicized variant, Shay is often used as a unisex name in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora, though it is more common for males. It has connections to other variants such as Sé, Shea, and the English forms Shae and Shaye.
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