Namewise

Coleen vs Shea

Coleen and Sheacompared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.

Head to head

Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.

  • England and Wales · Girls

    In 2017, Coleen was ranked #5765 and Shea #4763 among girls in England and Wales.

Side by side

Side-by-side comparison of Coleen, Shea
FieldColeenShea
Record typeOfficial statistical record (evidence-only)Editorially researched profile
Gender usagefemalemale
MeaningNot yet recordedThe Anglicized form of Séaghdha, occasionally used as a feminine name as well.
OriginNot yet recordedIrish
PronunciationNot yet recorded/ˈʃeɪ/
Syllables21
Common variants / nicknamesNot yet recordedSé, Séaghdha, Shay
Recorded regional usageGB-ENW, GB-NIR, IEGB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE
Most recent popularity observationEngland and Wales · Girls #5765 (2017)Republic of Ireland · Boys #125 (2025)
Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score)Not yet recorded90/100
Spelling simplicity (demonstration score)88/10095/100
International familiarity (demonstration score)100/100100/100
Data Confidencemediumhigh

What the data shows

  • Shea has a recorded origin (Irish); Coleen does not have one recorded yet.
  • Coleen has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Shea.
  • A meaning is recorded for Shea; Coleen doesn't have one written yet.
  • Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE.
  • The available evidence gives Coleen a "medium" Data Confidence level and Shea a "high" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.

How each name got here

Coleen

Popularity journey

  1. First recorded1965

    First recorded at #385 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1965 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.

    Republic of Ireland · Girls

  2. Most recent2017

    Most recently recorded at #5765 among girls in England and Wales, in 2017.

    England and Wales · Girls

Shea

Popularity journey

  1. First recorded1976

    First recorded at #316 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1976 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.

    Republic of Ireland · Boys

  2. Highest recorded1997–2024

    Highest recorded position: #25 among boys in Northern Ireland, in 2007 (recorded 1997–2024).

    Northern Ireland · Boys

  3. Most recent2025

    Most recently recorded at #125 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.

    Republic of Ireland · Boys