The name [name_u]Shay[/name_u] for boys is the Irish variation of [name_u]James[/name_u], “supplanter”. I have been looking for a way to honor my Uncle [name_u]James[/name_u] who died in a car accident when he was 16. But I want to use [name_u]Shay[/name_u] for a girl. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think I can still honor my uncle by using the name on a girl?
I think it would totally work. The only [name_u]Shay[/name_u] I know is a girl. I also like that you are honoring your uncle, but still giving your daughter her own unique name. [name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps!
Thanks it does!
I think it works. I’ve never met a boy shay but I did meet a girl shaylee one.
If [name_u]Shay[/name_u] actually was the Irish variant of [name_u]James[/name_u], I guess it would work, but [name_m]Seamus[/name_m] is the correct variant. They are similar sounded, but two different names. [name_u]Shay[/name_u] is the anglicized form of Seaghdha.
What about [name_u]Jem[/name_u](an old nickname for [name_u]James[/name_u]), [name_f]Jane[/name_f](similar sound) or [name_u]Jamie[/name_u]? What was his middle name? Maybe it could be worked with.
I agree with ikfly, [name_m]Seamus[/name_m] is the Irish form of [name_u]James[/name_u], not [name_u]Shay[/name_u].
Would you consider a girls’ name with the same/similar meaning as [name_u]James[/name_u]?
The only one I can find is [name_f]Jacqueline[/name_f] - apparently means supplanter (feminine form of [name_m]Jacques[/name_m] which is, according to behindthename, a [name_m]French[/name_m] form of [name_m]Jacob[/name_m], or [name_u]James[/name_u], which mean supplanter)
I totally love [name_u]Shay[/name_u] and think it’s so special!
I like the spelling [name_u]Shaye[/name_u] though just a bit more.
I don’t have a problem with honouring a man in a girl’s name (through a variant or whatever), but I don’t see how [name_u]Shay[/name_u] honours [name_u]James[/name_u] at all.
I think [name_u]Shay[/name_u] is totally usable. There’s the actress Shailene Woodley who was [name_u]Tris[/name_u] in Divergent and is going to be [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] in The Fault in Our Stars (Two major teen books turned into movies). I think because of her, [name_u]Shay[/name_u] names will definitely increase in popularity. Other [name_u]Shay[/name_u] names: [name_f]Shauna[/name_f], [name_f]Shayla[/name_f], Shailene, [name_u]Shea[/name_u]. The only thing is, [name_u]Shay[/name_u] is the phonetic spelling of [name_u]Shea[/name_u]. [name_u]Shea[/name_u] means “the stately, dauntless one.”
I think it works. I also suggest [name_f]Jemima[/name_f].
Thanks for all the comments!
here is the link for those of you who may not have understood why I was saying that the Irish variation of [name_u]James[/name_u], “supplanter” could be used to honor my Uncle [name_u]James[/name_u].
As others have said, [name_u]Shay[/name_u] doesn’t honor a [name_u]James[/name_u] any more than [name_f]Gia[/name_f] honors [name_u]James[/name_u] ([name_m]Giacomo[/name_m] = [name_u]James[/name_u]). You can use it but it’s a stretch. I think [name_u]Jem[/name_u]/[name_f]Jemma[/name_f] and [name_f]Jamila[/name_f] make the most sense if your intent is to feminize [name_u]James[/name_u].
And I wouldn’t rely solely on Nameberry for meanings/history/pronunciation/etc. They even have [name_m]Shai[/name_m] included as a phonetic equivalent yet [name_m]Shai[/name_m]= shy, not shay. Of course, some “creative” parents like to swap I and Y and change proper pronunciations to suit themselves.
Agreed, sometimes nameberry isn’t reliable for meanings/origins. [name_u]Shay[/name_u] is anglicised from Seaghdha meaning admirable or hawk-like so doesn’t mean the same as [name_u]James[/name_u] unfortunately.
I think it is the thought that counts. It doesn’t have to be a direct name to honor. [name_u]Shay[/name_u] for [name_u]James[/name_u] totally works (but I love the suggestions of [name_u]Jem[/name_u], [name_f]Jemma[/name_f], and [name_f]Jane[/name_f])
This. I would recommended Behindthename, it’s a more reliable site for meanings and origins. I second the suggestions of [name_f]Jemma[/name_f] and [name_f]Jemima[/name_f].
As others have mentioned I wouldn’t use NB as a site for accurate etymology or meaning. This site’s primary awesomeness comes from the forums and the members who post.
I’d suggest one of these:
- Maybe [name_u]Jaye[/name_u] could work?
- [name_m]Jacob[/name_m] feminizations like [name_f]Jacobina[/name_f], [name_f]Jacqueline[/name_f] could work as well.
- Any J name.
Honestly though… if [name_u]Shay[/name_u] works for you as a way to honor a [name_u]James[/name_u] that’s all that matters.
I’d opt for Gemme or [name_f]Gemma[/name_f]. Ste. Gemme is a surname in my ancestry, and research revealed it as a variation of [name_u]James[/name_u].
I’ve seen a couple of girls with [name_u]James[/name_u] as middle name. I am assuming it was to honor a previous [name_u]James[/name_u]. If you’re putting it in the middle I see no problem with just using [name_u]James[/name_u] even if it is not usually used for girls.
I agree that it’s the thought that counts. If you feel like [name_u]Shay[/name_u] is honoring [name_u]James[/name_u] then it is even if it isn’t the same name. I love the suggestion of [name_u]James[/name_u] for a middle name. If you love [name_u]Shay[/name_u] though, I’d say go with it. It’s definitely acceptable on a girl. [name_f]My[/name_f] sister is [name_u]Shea[/name_u] and I knew a girl [name_u]Shaye[/name_u] and one boy [name_u]Shea[/name_u].