Origin, Meaning, And History Of Shea
Shea is frequently given to both boys and girls and can be used as a first, last, or middle name. It is thought to be a descendant of the Gaelic name “Séaghdha.” Thus, Shea has Irish and Gaelic origins and means ‘admirable,’ ‘fine,’ ‘good,’ learned,’ or ‘favorable.’ Its meaning may also be interpreted as ‘hawk-like’ or a ‘fairy palace.’ As a surname, Shea is also believed to be a shortened form of McShea or O’Shea, which in turn is the anglicized version of Ó Séaghdha, meaning ‘descendant of Séaghdha.’
The name has been in use since the 18th or 19th century, notably in Scotland, the UK, and Canada, but has recently gained popularity in the US since the 1970s and the late 1990s in certain other English-speaking countries. Shea’s ranking has been exceptional ever since its use, and it has always been among the top 1000 names for both boys and girls in the US. Although Shea is mostly known as a masculine name, it is occasionally used as a name for girls.
Shea has different spelling variations across languages and cultures. A few of them are Shae and Shaye in English, Ségdae in Old Irish, Ségdae in Irish Mythology, and Seaghdh in Scottish Gaelic. Other common variants include Sé, Séaghdha, and Shay.
Several authors have used the name Shea as a fictional character in their novels. For example, Harold Shea is the lead character and the psychologist in the American fantasy novelThe Incomplete Enchanterand its sequels. Shea Ohmsford is a character inThe Sword of Shannara, where he is the protagonist on a quest to obtain the Sword of Shannara. Additionally, in the real world, Shea is the name of an African tree that produces the enriching shea butter.
In conclusion, Shea’s popularity can be attributed to its simple yet distinctive sound and its association with virtue and nobility.
How To Pronounce Shea?
Famous People With The Name Shea
- Shea Michael WeberCanadian professional ice hockey champion honored with a gold medal in the 2007 World Championship and in the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics among other accolades
- George Beverly SheaCanadian-born American singer and composer considered the gospel world’s first international singing star
- Shea WhighamAmerican actor popular for his roles in TV (Boardwalk Empire, True Detective) and films (American Hustle, Joker)
Names With Similar Sounds To Shea
If you wish to know more names exhibiting phonetic and syllabic similarities to Shea, refer to the examples below.
Popular Sibling Names For Shea
Other Popular Names Beginning With S
Names With Similar Meanings As Shea
If Shea’s mesmerizing meaning and feel appeal to you, we bring you some other name options with a similar significance.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Shea
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Shea?
The name Shea means an admirable man, from the fairy fortress.
2. What is the origin of the name Shea?
Shea has a Gaelic origin.
