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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Shay for a boy?

68 replies

Peacefrog23 · 12/12/2019 17:54

Hi,

We like shay and are considering this name for a boy. Although i know it can also be a girls name, do you think it sounds girly?
Or suits a boy better?
What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance x

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FramingDevice · 05/01/2020 01:09

It’s a common enough old man’s name in Ireland. Deeply unfashionable, and not showing any signs of becoming hip.

GrumpyHoonMain · 05/01/2020 00:59

It’s a really common Indian boy’s name. I quite like it but prefer the Spanish spelling (Che)

DrMadelineMaxwell · 05/01/2020 00:56

Theres a Shay at my kids school but he spells it Che. Like Gavara.

Buttercup54321 · 05/01/2020 00:35

Boys name for me.
Shane
Kashai

MyNewBearTotoro · 16/12/2019 07:25

I’ve only ever known it as a boys name.

Nillynally · 16/12/2019 07:23

Taught a Shay once, lovely name. He was a lovable shit.

PlantPotting · 16/12/2019 05:39

No Shay is unisex but when Shay is a nickname for Seamus, it’s clearly a boys’ name

NewInTown08 · 16/12/2019 03:18

I know a Shay who is a girl. I think its a very obvious girls name.

PlantPotting · 16/12/2019 02:48

Hey @Peacefrog23 wanted to alert you to the other thread about the name “Seamus” currently on the main page. It seems like people LOVE Seamus with nickname Shay. It seems that Shay on the birth certificate is less popular. I absolutely love this name - not a name I would have thought of myself so thank you very much for bringing it to my attention 😍

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/3769289-Seamus

fudgesmummy · 15/12/2019 14:00

Love the name Shay 😁

Batmanandrobin123 · 15/12/2019 13:58

I love it for a boy. We are considering it as a nickname for Seamus on another thread!
It is cool and simple and easy to pronounce.

BennyTheBall · 13/12/2019 18:21

I think it's absolutely awful. It's very chavvy.

Lolacat1234 · 13/12/2019 18:09

I really like it for a boy! Only think of a boy when I hear it x

TatianaLarina · 13/12/2019 18:05

Sea short for Seamus is fine. Shay as a stand alone name is very much the c word.

Omashu · 13/12/2019 14:52

As I said on your other thread, I really love it 😁 one of my favourite names for a boy or girl!

allmycats · 13/12/2019 11:08

Use the name Seamus - then have Shay for short. Seamus is an Irish name and pronounced Shaymus.

Cosmos45 · 13/12/2019 11:08

Shay definitely a boy's name. I know of one, he is irish, in his 70's and its short for Seamus

dorisdoughnut · 13/12/2019 11:03

Is Shea not pronounced She-a ?

123Dancewithme · 13/12/2019 11:00

I like it spelled Shea

VenusClapTrap · 13/12/2019 10:00

I’ve only met a female Shay. If you want it for a boy I’d call him Seamus and have Shay as a nickname.

Winterdaysarehere · 12/12/2019 19:19

My Shay was after the goalie!!

rededucator · 12/12/2019 18:45

I'd assume it was short for Seamus

Riv12345 · 12/12/2019 18:33

Never heard it for a girl, but definitely a favourite for a boy

Riv12345 · 12/12/2019 18:31

Shay is lovely for a boy!!!

kenandbarbie · 12/12/2019 18:27

You could also use the Irish spelling of Se, it has a fada but I don't know how to do one! You could use James either! I know people who's' birth cert is James but they're known as Seamus or Shay.

I've never heard of it as a girls name.