Rising since 2015, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Chai since 1977
Babies named Chai per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1993, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Chai's real moment was 2024.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 6 | 0 |
| 1980s | 23 | 87 |
| 1990s | 57 | 105 |
| 2000s | 68 | 91 |
| 2010s | 35 | 50 |
| 2020s | 74 | 51 |
Meaning & origin
Chai is a name that bridges two distinct cultural worlds: the Hebrew word for 'life' and the Hindi word for 'tea'. First recorded in the United States in 1981, Chai has seen a notable rise in usage since 2015, reflecting a trend toward short, meaningful, and cross-cultural names. Its peak popularity occurred in 2024, and as of 2025, it remains a very rare choice, with only 1 in 284,679 newborns receiving the name. While Chai does not appear among any state's top names, its simplicity and profound meanings make it an appealing option for parents seeking a name with depth and global resonance.
Chai is a Hebrew word meaning 'life', often used in Jewish culture as a symbol of good luck and blessing. It also has roots in Sanskrit, where it means 'tea', derived from the Chinese word 'cha'. As a given name, Chai has seen modern use in English-speaking countries, drawing on both its Hebrew significance and its association with the beverage.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Chaya, Hayyim
Sibling names for Chai
Names that share Chai's style, for a brother or sister.
