"life, alive"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Chai
Pronunciation: [ ch-EYE ]
Does Chai flow with your last name?
The Hebrew word for life, pure and powerful
Jewish
Israeli
Hebrew
Indian (via tea culture)
Spiritual
Minimalist
Bold
Modern
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Chai
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"vitality, living"
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Chai
See all →What the Chai report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Chai the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Chai
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Chai head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with the popular spiced tea drink (chai tea), which some may find trivializing
The Story of Chai
Chai comes from the Hebrew word חַי (chai), meaning alive or life. In Jewish tradition, it is one of the most powerful and auspicious words, appearing in the religious toast L'chaim (to life!). The number 18 is considered lucky in Jewish culture because the Hebrew letters chet and yod — which spell chai — have numerical values of 8 and 10. The word is so revered that Jews often give charitable gifts in multiples of 18.
Chai as a given name is rare but growing among Jewish families and spiritually-minded parents who appreciate its profound meaning. It is distinct from the popular Kai, offering similar sounds with deeper cultural roots.
In Jewish culture, chai is one of the most sacred symbols of life and vitality. The word appears on mezuzot, jewelry, and in blessings. Giving someone chai or a multiple of 18 dollars is considered a blessing of life and prosperity.
Historical Record
Chai first appeared in US Social Security records in 1981.
Over 378 babies have been named Chai in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Chai is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #5,960 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In Jewish numerology (gematria), chai equals 18, making multiples of 18 traditional gift amounts
- L'chaim — meaning 'to life' — is the most common Jewish toast, using the same root word
- The word chai appears over 100 times in the Hebrew Bible
Chai in Other Languages
Arabic
حياة (Hayah)
French
Chai
Hebrew
חַי
Spanish
Chai
Yiddish
חיים (Chaim)
Popularity Over Time
#5,960
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Chai
C
Chai Jing
Other
1976
Chinese journalist and documentary filmmaker known for environmental reporting
C
Chai Feldblum
Politician
1959
American lawyer and EEOC Commissioner who championed disability rights
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #5,960
- Total SSA Count
- 15
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Israeli Hebrew Indian (via tea culture)
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, bold style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, bold style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, Israeli heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, minimalist style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Chai
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Chai
Phonetic neighbors that share Chai's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Chai fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Chai is also used as a girl name, ranked #16356.
View Chai as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Chai →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Chai with...
Same Origin Names (Jewish)
See all Jewish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Chai
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Chai and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Chai sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Moss
Boy
Hebrew Moshe origin
"drawn from the water"
#5,988 in US
Aliyas
Boy
Hebrew origin
"my God is the Lord (Yahweh)"
#5,785 in US
Jorel
Boy
Hebrew/Modern origin
"light of God"
#5,795 in US
Jabez
Boy
Hebrew origin
"he causes pain, born in sorrow"
#6,105 in US
Esequiel
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God will strengthen, strengthened by God"
#5,891 in US
Izaias
Boy
Hebrew origin
"Yahweh saves"
#5,819 in US
Sender
Boy
Greek origin
"protector of humanity"
#6,015 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Chai's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chai
What does the name Chai mean?
"life, alive" (from Hebrew). "vitality, living" (from Biblical Hebrew). Chai comes from the Hebrew word חַי (chai), meaning alive or life. In Jewish tradition, it is one of the most powerful and auspicious words, appearing in the religious toast L'chaim (to life!). The number 18 is considered lucky in Jewish culture because the Hebrew letters chet and yod — which spell chai — have numerical values of 8 and 10. The word is so revered that Jews often give charitable gifts in multiples of 18.
What is the origin of the name Chai?
Chai has Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, Jewish, Israeli, and Indian (via tea culture) origins. In Hebrew, it means "life, alive". In Biblical Hebrew, it means "vitality, living".
Is Chai a boy or girl name?
Chai is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #5960. As a girl name, it is ranked #16356. Chai is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Chai?
Chai is pronounced ch-EYE.
How popular is the name Chai?
Chai is currently ranked #5960 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Chai?
Popular middle name pairings include Chai Benjamin, Chai Aaron, Chai Daniel, Chai James, Chai Noah, Chai Eli, and Chai Lev.
What are good sibling names for Chai?
Names that pair well with Chai as siblings include Lev, Ari, Noa, Shira, Eden, Tal, Avery, and Sage.
How many syllables does Chai have?
Chai has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Chai a common or rare name?
Chai is an uncommon name, ranked #5960 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Chai?
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Chai
Chai is a boy name with Jewish, Israeli, Hebrew, and Indian (via tea culture) origins . The name means "life, alive" in Hebrew .
Is Chai a boy or girl name? Chai is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #5,960 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #16,356. Chai is more commonly used as a boy name.
Chai is currently ranked #5,960 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Chai has 1 syllable and is pronounced ch-EYE, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Chai include Charles, Chase, Charlie, Chance, Chaim . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
C
Names Starting with C
More boy names like Chai
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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