"God is with me"
Itai
Does Itai flow with your last name?
A loyal Hebrew name with the spirit of David's faithful warrior
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"friendly, sociable"
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Browse nicknames →The Story of Itai
Itai (also spelled Itay, אִיתַי) is a Hebrew name with two possible interpretations: 'God is with me' (similar in structure to Mattai/Matthew) or 'friendly, sociable' from an Aramaic root. In the Hebrew Bible, Ittai of Gath was a Philistine warrior who remained fiercely loyal to King David during Absalom's rebellion, declaring his unwavering devotion in a moving speech — making the name synonymous with loyalty.
Itai has become a popular modern Israeli name, beloved for its short, strong sound and ancient biblical roots. In Israel, it consistently ranks among the top boys' names and has been gaining traction among diaspora families seeking authentic Hebrew names.
Ittai the Gittite's declaration of loyalty to King David in 2 Samuel 15:19-22 ('Wherever you go, I will go') is one of the Bible's most stirring speeches, echoing Ruth's famous loyalty oath. This gives the name a deep association with steadfast loyalty and friendship.
Historical Record
Itai first appeared in US Social Security records in 1991.
Over 523 babies have been named Itai in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Itai is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #4,710 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Ittai the Gittite's loyalty speech to King David in 2 Samuel echoes Ruth's famous 'wherever you go' declaration
- Itai consistently ranks in Israel's top 20 boys' names in recent years
- The Philistine city of Gath (where Ittai was from) is also the hometown of the biblical giant Goliath
Itai in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Itai
Ittai the Gittite
Military
Philistine warrior who remained loyal to King David during Absalom's rebellion; his loyalty speech is among the most mov...
Philistine warrior who remained loyal to King David during Absalom's rebellion; his loyalty speech is among the most moving in the Hebrew Bible
Itai Engel
Musician
Israeli singer and guitarist, founder of the band HaBanot Nechama
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,710
- Total SSA Count
- 21
- Cultural Origins
- Israeli Jewish Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, modern style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, bold style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Itai
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (Israeli)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Itai
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About the Name Itai
Itai is a boy name with Israeli, Jewish, and Hebrew origins . The name means "God is with me" in Hebrew .
Itai is currently ranked #4,710 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Itai has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Itai include Tai. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis