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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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PotteringAlong · 12/12/2019 17:55

It’s a girls name in my head.

SnuggyBuggy · 12/12/2019 17:56

What about Shane?

roratone · 12/12/2019 17:57

It's a girls name. Reminds me of Game of Thrones. Shame

PeterRouseTheFleshofMankind · 12/12/2019 17:59

I've only ever known boys named Shay?

I think it's a lovely name actually.

FoosBitch · 12/12/2019 18:02

I babysat for a male Shay about 30 years ago in Canada. It was a very uncommon name, boy or girl at that time. I know a Shay who's real name is Sharon.
I think that Shay is more commonly a female name in the UK and it might be a rod for your poor boy's back at school.

SleighOfSparkliness · 12/12/2019 18:03

You mean like short for Seamus (Irish for James I think)?

SlayingDragons · 12/12/2019 18:05

Definitely a boy’s name for me - shirt for Seamus (and Shay is the anglicised spelling). Never heard of it for a girl

IamHyouweegobshite · 12/12/2019 18:05

I've taught two Shay's in the last 3 years. Lovely boys, lovely name.

SlayingDragons · 12/12/2019 18:06

Clearly SHORT for Seamus - not shirt! Cross posts with Sleigh*

Greggers2017 · 12/12/2019 18:06

Shay is definitely a boys name. I've heard Shae used for a girl.

iklboodolphrednosedreindeer · 12/12/2019 18:10

I know a male Shay. He's basically a Labrador puppy in human form.

tried20names · 12/12/2019 18:11

I know a male Shae, I like it

Clarabellawilliamson · 12/12/2019 18:12

I have taught both boys and girls called Shay. It's unusual for a boy but wouldn't raise eyebrows! The one I taught was lovely

SurvivingCBeebies · 12/12/2019 18:12

Shay is definitely a boys name, I know of two!

Winterdaysarehere · 12/12/2019 18:13

I have a ds Shay. He loves it though once told me he would have preferred Seamus.

Iwantacookie · 12/12/2019 18:19

I wanted Shay for ds1. Was told no.
I also know a girl Shay but for me I liked the name from Shay Given.
Irish goal keeper.

Original poster
Peacefrog23 · 12/12/2019 18:22

Thanks everyone ☺ Yes that's were we got it from the footballer, but i think his name is seamus, shay for short.
We would have just shay though x

OP posts:
Bunnybigears · 12/12/2019 18:25

I know a boy Shay he is about 15 years old. It suits him. I wouldnt pick it for one of mine but I definitely think of it as a boys name.

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.

Riv12345 · 12/12/2019 18:31

Shay is lovely for a boy!!!

Riv12345 · 12/12/2019 18:33

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

rededucator · 12/12/2019 18:45

I'd assume it was short for Seamus

Winterdaysarehere · 12/12/2019 19:19

My Shay was after the goalie!!

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.

123Dancewithme · 13/12/2019 11:00

I like it spelled Shea