Tools / Baby names / C

Chai

Unisex

Meaning of Chai: Hebrew: 'life'

Chai is a unisex name most strongly associated with Hebrew naming. It has 4 letters and 1 syllable, and it is a genuinely rare and unique choice — 5031st most popular name in the United States in 2025.

US rank 2025

#5031

18 babies in 2025

England & Wales 2024

—

Fewer than 3 babies or unlisted

US babies since 1880

647

First recorded 1977 · peak 1994

Trend

rising

Style: rare

Popularity over time

1981: 17 babies1982: 11 babies1983: 7 babies1984: 13 babies1985: 10 babies1986: 8 babies1987: 18 babies1988: 10 babies1989: 16 babies1990: 11 babies19901991: 21 babies1992: 17 babies1993: 21 babies1994: 26 babies1995: 18 babies1996: 14 babies1997: 17 babies1998: 11 babies1999: 6 babies2000: 16 babies20002001: 20 babies2002: 14 babies2003: 15 babies2004: 14 babies2005: 16 babies2006: 17 babies2007: 20 babies2008: 12 babies2009: 15 babies2010: 10 babies20102011: 14 babies2012: 7 babies2013: 15 babies2014: 8 babies2015: 0 babies2016: 0 babies2017: 7 babies2018: 16 babies2019: 8 babies2020: 23 babies20202021: 23 babies2022: 17 babies2023: 21 babies2024: 23 babies2025: 18 babies
US babies named Chai per year (Social Security Administration). Peak bar = 26.

Gender split

59% boys · 41% girls, based on US, UK and international usage.

Origins & cultures

More Hebrew names

Other names starting with C