Gene vs Shea
Gene 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.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2023, Gene was ranked #395 and Shea #32 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Gene was ranked #785 and Shea #187 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Gene was ranked #727 and Shea #619 among boys in Scotland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2024, Gene was ranked #702 and Shea #1322 among boys in England and Wales.
Gene and Shea over time
Gene and Shea appear together in 2 published lists, across 35 years of shared records. Shea held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Gene in 0.
The order between them changed and held in 2 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Each reached its own highest recorded position first in 1 of the lists they share.
Counted list by list. Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale in the same year, so those comparisons are real — but positions from different lists are not, so nothing here is combined into an overall standing.
How this pair is related
The relationship kinds these two qualify for, each under its own stated rule. Every one is drawn from a list they both appear in.
- Mirrored each other
Over 27 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Gene rose about as far as Shea fell — from #1591 and #755 in 1996 to #702 and #1322 in 2024.
List by list
England and Wales · Boys27 shared years, 1996–2024
Gene held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Shea in 19.
Highest recorded here: Gene #684 in 2008, Shea #308 in 1999.
The order changed in 2017: Gene moved ahead. In 2016 they stood at #870 and #833; by 2017 that had become #806 and #848.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Gene #702, Shea #1322.
Republic of Ireland · Boys8 shared years, 1976–2024
Gene held the stronger position in 2 of those years, Shea in 6.
Highest recorded here: Gene #255 in 1978, Shea #161 in 2023.
The order changed in 2012: Shea moved ahead. In 2011 they stood at #255 and #283; by 2012 that had become #718 and #250.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Gene #785, Shea #187.
Two names moving past each other in a ranking is a fact about the ranking. Namewise does not claim one name displaced the other, that families chose between them, or that either influenced the other — none of that is in this data.
Side by side
| Field | Gene | Shea |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | The Anglicized form of Séaghdha, occasionally used as a feminine name as well. |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Irish |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | /ˈʃeɪ/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Sé, Séaghdha, Shay |
| Recorded regional usage | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | England and Wales · Boys #702 (2024) | Republic of Ireland · Boys #125 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | Not yet recorded | 90/100 |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 95/100 | 95/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | high |
What the data shows
- Shea has a recorded origin (Irish); Gene does not have one recorded yet.
- Gene has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Shea.
- A meaning is recorded for Shea; Gene doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE.
- The available evidence gives Gene 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
Gene
Popularity journey
First recorded1971
First recorded at #326 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1971 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1972–2024
Highest recorded position: #255 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 1978 (recorded 1972–2024).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2024
Most recently recorded at #702 among boys in England and Wales, in 2024.
England and Wales · Boys
Shea
Popularity journey
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
Highest recorded1997–2024
Highest recorded position: #25 among boys in Northern Ireland, in 2007 (recorded 1997–2024).
Northern Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #125 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Boys