Holding steady.
Popularity of Wai since 1970
Babies named Wai per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 29 | 61 |
| 1980s | 37 | 96 |
| 1990s | 22 | 17 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Wai is a unisex name of Cantonese origin that entered the U.S. data in 1970. It reached its peak year in 1977, but has never ranked among the top 1000 names. The name has remained stable in usage since the 1970s, and in 2025 it continues to be chosen occasionally. The name's meaning varies by the Chinese character, commonly associated with 'great' or 'wise'. Wai's presence in the U.S. reflects Chinese cultural heritage.
Wai is a transliteration of several Chinese characters, most commonly 偉 (wai5, 'great') or 慧 (wai6, 'wise'). It has been used as a given name in Cantonese-speaking communities, including Hong Kong and overseas Chinese diaspora. The name entered the U.S. naming pool in the 1970s, reflecting immigration patterns.
Sibling names for Wai
Names that share Wai's style, for a brother or sister.
