Rising since 2007, #4,857 for boys today.
Popularity of Zai since 2001
Babies named Zai per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5 | 10 |
| 2010s | 34 | 98 |
| 2020s | 32 | 139 |
Meaning & origin
Zai is a modern, unisex name that entered U.S. records in 2004 and has been gradually rising in popularity, particularly since 2007. It reached its peak rank in 2024, with a 2025 rank of 4,857 and an incidence of about 1 in 85,404 births. The name is concentrated in California, reflecting its appeal in diverse, trend-forward communities. Zai exemplifies the contemporary preference for short, 'Z'-initial names, fitting alongside similar modern coinages like Zayn and Zara.
Zai appears to be a modern coinage, first recorded in U.S. data in 2004. Its rise suggests it was formed from the popular phonetic initial 'Z' combined with a short, catchy sound, possibly influenced by names like Zayd or the place name Zaire. It has no long historical lineage and is primarily used in contemporary English-speaking contexts.
Where Zai is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Zay
Sibling names for Zai
Names that share Zai's style, for a brother or sister.
