Shay?

[isitfridayyettttt]

For a boy? Yes/no? And the whys? Any bad associations?

It's chavvy- like Shane.

I like it. There's a boy the same age as my son with the spelling shea which makes me think of hand cream 😅 I prefer it spelled shay or shae

Also it should be che as Guevara Argentinian revolutionary

No, it is perfectly fine as Shay, phonetic short for Seamus, which is Irish for James.

Don't really get what constitutes a "chavvy" name

I am going to suggest it means anything Irish, and then run for my coat...

@QueenDanu, Irish names were definitely a thing even in the 60s but agree much more likely from the 70s on. I'm a 60s girl with an Irish name and knew lots in Irish College (their real names, not just Gaeltacht noms de guerre). Otoh I also know hordes of Suzannes, Christines, Geraldines, Sharons, Karens, Lorraines, and Lindas.

I don't like it.

I like Seamus but I don't really like just Shay on its own.

You are right @mathanxiety, there is very strong anti-Irish name snobbery on this thread. I know Irish aren't a race, but this is like a form of racism. Irish names are poular from areas with high Irish descendant populations - Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, so its either regional snobbery or anti-Irish prejudice, and its unpleasant.

I think there is also a bit of ignorance around Irish names in England. Liam and Seamus = William and James. They’re classic names, nothing ‘chavvy’ about them (or their nicknames).

The objection seems to have been against Shay, not Seamus. Some people might not like shortened names or nicknames per se. Some might not like the anglicised spelling of Shay and would want the Irish spelling. It may be of course that some don’t realise Shay is an Irish name at all, otherwise they would be more careful with their comments.

I don’t like anglicised spellings or English mangling of foreign names. (See Keeva, Caitlin, Louie, Xavier, Anaïs etc).

I like Seamus, and Sé as short for Seamus, but I don’t like Shay.

I don’t think people choosing Shay and Shane necessarily connect them with Ireland any more than people choosing Louie connect it with France.

Che is pronounced Chay or Ché not Shay in Argentinian Spanish.

@TatianaBis

I don’t like anglicised spellings or English mangling of foreign names. (See Keeva, Caitlin, Louie, Xavier, Anaïs etc).

I like Seamus, and Sé as short for Seamus, but I don’t like Shay.

I don’t think people choosing Shay and Shane necessarily connect them with Ireland any more than people choosing Louie connect it with France.

Che is pronounced Chay or Ché not Shay in Argentinian Spanish.

Shay is a popular Hindi name

Shay is a popular Hindi name

And that puts a different spin on it again.

It's ok, id stick with your spelling. I knew a Chay and he was a knob so it sort of taints it for me!

The chavvy connotation is nothing to do with the names being Irish! It's because names like connor and shay are very popular in certain sections of society, the types that wear pj's on the school run, and stand on their doorsteps in pj's while chain smoking. Its the same with names like jayden, lewis and kai and they are not Irish.

I think the strong link between chav and Irish names in the UK is because of the view held of the people who emigrated from Ireland to the UK, also the socio economic standings this group when they first moved here.
Even if the idea that boarding houses used to put up signs saying no Irish is disputed now there is a lot of evidence showing that job adverts used to say Irish need not apply.
The worst council housing where I grew up was the catholic ( Irish heritage) estates.
This stuff sinks into society.

@wanttomarryamillionaire

The chavvy connotation is nothing to do with the names being Irish! It's because names like connor and shay are very popular in certain sections of society, the types that wear pj's on the school run, and stand on their doorsteps in pj's while chain smoking. Its the same with names like jayden, lewis and kai and they are not Irish.

“Certain sections of society” and Irish may be concurrent in some people’s minds, even if they don’t actually realise the anti-Irish sentiment behind it. It expands to many anglicisations of names, perhaps especially from other Gaelic countries. You used Lewis as an example. It’s an anglicisation of Louis and quite common in Scotland. There can similar reactions to Calum/Callum, for example. However, I think it’s true that Irish names, more than others, suffer the brunt of prejudice.

I think it’s twofold:

1. Age old prejudice against Irish immigrants
2. Major popularity of particular Irish or Irish derived names in the UK which become associated with the class its popular with.

After Oasis (poss also Liam Neeson) there were gazillions of English Liams. Cillian is the new Liam. Kevin is the old Liam.

For girls currently Orla, Ciara are popular. Previous hits include Caitlin, Fiona, Marie, Shannon. In older generations names such as Maureen, Kathleen, Brigit, Deidre too.

I would also agree with daisypond that Scottish names can also get some of this treatment as well.

You used Lewis as an example. It’s an anglicisation of Louis and quite common in Scotland.

Personally I think Scottish Lewis is more likely to be be derived either from the Celtic god Lugh/Lleu/Llew/Lugus, or from Scottish Gaelic Leòdhas.

I don't think it's a link with Irish heritage either, just certain names appear to be selected as trendy by a group who would consider traditional names boring (e.g. Jack, Oliver, Olivia, Elizabeth and I would put traditional Irish & Scottish names here).

Names like Lacey-Mai, Chelsea, Chardonnay, Kai and Paisley and shortened adapted names just tend to fit into a group that feel very 'now' and could date badly.

@TatianaBis
That’s a reasonable point re Lewis. However, it still goes to show that as soon as a Gaelic/Celtic name gets anglicised and especially if it becomes popular, its connotations change.

The Irish spelling "Sé" isn't great as a name, due to also meaning six, he, and yes. Might be why it hasn't really caught on except as a nickname. That does leave Shay as a footballer name which isn't likely to be high status.
Séaghdha is so local to Kerry, it's not widespread as a surname even.

Chay Blythe the famous yachtsman.
Or Shay from "Chicago Fire".

Irish names suffer the double whammy of lower class connotations and Irish.