How Many People Are Named Shay?
Complete statistics for the name Shay: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Shay means 'graceful' in Hebrew, making it a name rich in elegance. Only 1 in 26,201 Americans share this unique name, highlighting its very rare status among female names. With a peak birth year in 2021, Shay remains a rising star, especially popular among younger generations.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 8 symbolizes leadership, authority, and material success.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 28All 12,989 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 2021Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Shay Through the Generations
Shay, a name that carries grace and modernity, has seen a surge in popularity, particularly among younger women. As of today, there are approximately 12,595 people named Shay living in the United States, with the majority being under 30 years old. This age skew indicates that Shay is a genuinely modern name, favored by parents looking for something fresh and distinctive. The name's origins trace back to Hebrew, adding a layer of cultural richness to its contemporary appeal.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Shay's Hebrew roots
📄 About the Name Shay
How Many People Have the Name Shay?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 9,066 people in the United States currently share the name Shay. That works out to roughly 1 in every 36,560 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Shay a Common or Rare Name?
Shay is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Shay Mean?
Shay means "graceful" and comes from Hebrew origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 8.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Shay in SSA data, approximately 38% are male and 62% are female.
When Was Shay Most Popular?
The name Shay reached peak popularity in 2021, with 409 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Shay?
Approximately 9,066 people named Shay live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 9,066. That works out to roughly 1 in 36,560 Americans.
Is Shay a rare name?
Shay is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 36,560 Americans has this name.
What does the name Shay mean?
Shay means "graceful" and comes from Hebrew origins.
Is Shay more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 38% of people named Shay are male and 62% are female.
When was Shay most popular?
Shay peaked in 2021 with 409 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.