Rising since 1994, #3,513 for boys today.
Popularity of Yishai since 1990
Babies named Yishai per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 29 |
| 2000s | 134 |
| 2010s | 144 |
| 2020s | 138 |
Meaning & origin
Yishai is a biblical name of Hebrew origin, borne by the father of King David. It has experienced a gradual but consistent rise in U.S. use since 1994, reaching a peak rank of 3513 in 2025, the most recent year of data. The name remains rare, occurring in approximately 1 in 53377 male births, and is most commonly registered in New York and New Jersey. Its rising trajectory since the mid-1990s aligns with a broader trend toward authentic biblical forms among parents seeking names with religious and cultural resonance. Despite its rarity, Yishai offers a distinctive alternative to the anglicized Jesse, preserving the original Hebrew pronunciation and spelling.
Yishai is the Hebrew name of Jesse, the father of King David in the Old Testament. The name is derived from the Hebrew root y-sh-', meaning 'gift' or 'present', though some scholars consider it a shortened form of a theophoric name incorporating the divine name. It has been used among Jewish communities for centuries and has seen renewed popularity in Israel and among English-speaking families seeking biblical names.
Where Yishai is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Yishai, Yishi
Sibling names for Yishai
Names that share Yishai's style, for a brother or sister.
