Declining since 2017.
Popularity of Chayim since 1975
Babies named Chayim per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2016, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Chayim's real moment was 2023.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 6 |
| 1980s | 18 |
| 1990s | 19 |
| 2000s | 23 |
| 2010s | 51 |
| 2020s | 17 |
Meaning & origin
Chayim is a Hebrew name meaning 'life', derived from the word 'chayyim'. In the United States, it first appeared in Social Security records in 1975 and has remained rare, never cracking the top 1000. Its highest recorded usage came in 2023, when it reached its peak year of one-in-? births (the exact rate is not available due to its rarity). The name has been on a falling trajectory since 2017, suggesting a recent but brief surge in interest. No top states are recorded for Chayim, indicating its usage is very sparse and scattered. Despite its rarity, the name carries deep cultural resonance in Jewish communities, where it is often given to honor the biblical patriarch or as a wish for a life of health and vitality. The variant Chaim is more common in English-speaking contexts, but Chayim retains a more direct connection to the Hebrew spelling.
Chayim is a Hebrew name derived from the word 'chayyim', meaning 'life'. In Jewish tradition, it is often used as a masculine given name, sometimes combined with another name (e.g., Chayim Shmuel). The name appears in Jewish communities worldwide and is associated with the wish for a long and meaningful life.
“Chayim” around the world
Where Chayim 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: Chai, Hy, Hayyim
Sibling names for Chayim
Names that share Chayim's style, for a brother or sister.
