Declining since 2022, #8,910 for boys today.
Popularity of Avishai since 1996
Babies named Avishai per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 12 |
| 2000s | 73 |
| 2010s | 114 |
| 2020s | 75 |
Meaning & origin
Avishai is a biblical Hebrew name with a distinguished heritage, borne by one of King David's warriors. It entered U.S. records in 1996 and saw its peak popularity in 2022, ranking 8,910 in 2025. The name has been on a downward trajectory since 2022, though it remains a distinctive choice. With a rate of roughly 1 in 213,510 boys, Avishai is rare even among biblical names, reflecting its understated appeal. It is occasionally spelled Abishai, but the Avishai form remains more common in modern usage.
Avishai is a Hebrew name, appearing in the Bible as the name of one of King David's mighty warriors (1 Chronicles 11:20). It is derived from elements likely meaning 'my father' (avi) and 'gift' (shai), though some interpret it as 'father of a gift.' The name has been used within Jewish communities for centuries but remains relatively rare in English-speaking countries.
“Avishai” around the world
Where Avishai lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Avi, Shai
Variants: Abishai
Sibling names for Avishai
Names that share Avishai's style, for a brother or sister.
