Chantay

Chantay appears to be a variant spelling of Chante or Chanté, which derives from the French word 'chanter' meaning 'to sing.' The name emerged in the United States during the latter half of the 20th century. This variant spelling maintains the original French pronunciation while adapting to English spelling conventions by using 'ay' to represent the 'é' sound. Similar names include Chantal and Chantel, which share the musical French root. Usage data shows Chantay gaining modest popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, with gradual decline thereafter. The name exemplifies a broader trend of adapting names with French origins by modifying their spelling to suit English pronunciation patterns while retaining their melodic quality and distinctive character.

Pronounced shan-TAY.

As of October 2026, Chantay ranked #12042 in US births in 2000 SSA, peaked at #1233 in 1961.