"life, alive"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Chai
Pronunciation: [ ch-EYE ]
The Hebrew word for life, pure and powerful
Jewish
Israeli
Hebrew
Indian (via tea culture)
Spiritual
Minimalist
Bold
Modern
Unique
Meaning & Origin
"vitality, living"
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Language: English
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.
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
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
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
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, bold style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, bold style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, Israeli heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, minimalist style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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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 →Compare Chai with...
Same Origin Names (Jewish)
Playground Safety
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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.
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.