Find out how popular the first name Shaya has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Shaya by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Shaya is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 62% of people named Shaya being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 119 male babies and 25 female babies born with the name Shaya.

The history of the first name Shaya

The name Shaya has its origins in the Sanskrit language and is derived from the word "shaya," which means "resting place" or "abode." This name was prevalent in ancient India and is believed to have been used as early as the 6th century BCE.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Shaya can be found in the Hindu scriptures, particularly in the sacred text of the Upanishads. It is mentioned in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad as the name of a sage who imparted spiritual wisdom to his disciples.

In the 3rd century BCE, there was a renowned Indian mathematician and astronomer named Shaya who made significant contributions to the field of astronomy. He is credited with developing a method for calculating the positions of celestial bodies and is considered one of the pioneers of Indian astronomy.

During the Gupta Empire, which ruled over much of the Indian subcontinent from the 4th to the 6th century CE, the name Shaya was commonly used among the ruling class and aristocracy. One notable figure from this period was Shaya, a minister and advisor to King Chandragupta II, who was known for his wisdom and diplomacy.

In the literary world, there was a famous Sanskrit poet and playwright named Shaya who lived during the 7th century CE. He is best known for his work "Shakuntalā," a celebrated play that has been translated into numerous languages and continues to be performed to this day.

Another prominent individual with the name Shaya was a 12th-century Indian philosopher and scholar who wrote extensively on the Advaita Vedanta school of Hinduism. His works, such as "Shaya-Bhashya," are considered pivotal texts in the study of Vedantic philosophy.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who bore the name Shaya, showcasing its long-standing presence and significance in the Indian cultural and intellectual tradition.

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 Shaya was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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