Find out how popular the first name Shanea has been for the last 41 years (from 1974 to 2014) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Shanea by gender

Based on the last 41 years of data, Shanea is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2014, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Shanea.

The history of the first name Shanea

The name Shanea is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "sean," meaning old or ancient. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century, when Ireland was a predominantly Gaelic-speaking society.

In ancient Irish folklore and mythology, there are references to characters and figures with names similar to Shanea, such as Seanan and Seanacha, which may have influenced the evolution of the name. However, there is no definitive record of the name Shanea appearing in any specific ancient texts or religious scriptures from that time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shanea dates back to the late 16th century, when it was mentioned in a collection of Irish genealogical manuscripts known as the Annals of the Four Masters. In this text, a woman named Shanea Ní Cheallaigh is referenced as a member of the O'Kelly clan, a prominent Irish family from County Galway.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Shanea. One of the most famous was Shanea O'Doherty (1590-1661), an Irish noblewoman and landowner from County Donegal. She played a significant role in defending her family's lands during the Irish Confederate Wars of the 1640s.

Another notable Shanea was Shanea Ní Mhaille (1670-1745), a renowned Irish pirate and sea captain who commanded her own fleet and terrorized ships in the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea. She was known for her fearlessness and defiance of English rule over Ireland.

In the 18th century, Shanea Ní Dhubhghaill (1725-1795) was a celebrated Irish poet and storyteller from County Kerry. Her works were widely renowned for their vivid descriptions of Irish rural life and their preservation of traditional Gaelic culture and language.

In the 19th century, Shanea Ní Bhriain (1835-1901) was a prominent Irish nationalist and activist who campaigned for Irish independence and the preservation of Irish language and traditions. She was also a respected scholar and author, publishing several works on Irish history and culture.

Shanea Ní Chonchubhair (1880-1958) was an Irish politician and women's rights advocate who served as a member of the Irish Parliament (Dáil Éireann) in the early 20th century. She played a crucial role in the fight for women's suffrage and was a vocal supporter of Irish republicanism.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Shanea was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Shanea, please contact us.

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