Shai Unisex

Popularity: #725 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SHY //ʃaɪ//

Origin: Hebrew; Chinese

Meaning: Hebrew: 'gift'; Chinese: 'victory'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Shai has its roots in Hebrew, deriving from the word "שַׁי" (pronounced "shai"), which translates to "gift" or "present." This etymology reflects a deep cultural significance, as names in Hebrew often carry meanings that reflect virtues, attributes, or blessings. The name has been used in various forms throughout Jewish history, and its adoption into other languages and cultures has been influenced by the Hebrew diaspora and the spread of Jewish communities across the globe.

Historically, the name Shai has been associated with various figures in Jewish texts and traditions. While it may not be linked to a specific biblical character, its meaning resonates with the themes of gratitude and divine gifts, which are prevalent in Jewish liturgy and teachings.

The name has been used in various forms in Hebrew literature and religious texts, particularly during the medieval period when Hebrew names were often adopted by Jewish communities in Europe. The name's presence in these texts underscores its cultural and spiritual significance within Jewish tradition.

Culturally, Shai embodies the notion of appreciation and the value of life’s blessings, making it a name that carries positive connotations. The name has also been embraced in modern Hebrew-speaking communities, where it is often used as a standalone name or as a diminutive of longer names that incorporate the root "shai." This adaptability has allowed the name to maintain its relevance across generations, reflecting the enduring nature of its meaning and the cultural values it represents.

Famous people named Shai

In this section, you will find notable people named Shai. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Shai who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Shai who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a professional basketball player best known for playing with the Oklahoma City Thunder and being an NBA All-Star.

Shai Agassi is an entrepreneur best known for founding Better Place and his work in electric vehicle technology.

Fictional characters named Shai

The following list of fictional characters named Shai is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Shai is a fictional character from the novel The Shadow of What Was Lost by James Islington. She is a powerful and enigmatic figure who plays a crucial role in the unfolding events of the story.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Shai, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ShalomShiraShaiyaShan

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Shai. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

ShayKaiZaiRaiTaiJaiSai

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Shai was first seen in the United States in 1968.

Shai has ranked as high as #1565 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania.

In the past 5 years the name Shai has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Shai is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Shai was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Shai.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 293 215 78
2024 301 200 101
2023 340 224 116
2022 326 219 107
2021 295 199 96
2020 191 120 71
2019 157 98 59
2018 123 75 48
2017 102 66 36
2016 82 52 30
2015 81 50 31
2014 61 35 26
2013 70 50 20
2012 88 55 33
2011 78 44 34
2010 70 45 25
2009 79 45 34
2008 95 55 40
2007 83 42 41
2006 75 34 41
2005 53 27 26
2004 58 33 25
2003 59 34 25
2002 69 35 34
2001 61 23 38
2000 71 26 45
1999 53 17 36
1998 78 27 51
1997 84 25 59
1996 85 28 57
1995 91 38 53
1994 103 40 63
1993 134 44 90
1992 31 12 19
1991 18 7 11
1990 27 16 11
1989 15 8 7
1988 21 8 13
1987 21 10 11
1986 12 5 7
1985 15 8 7
1984 24 11 13
1983 7 7 0
1982 14 7 7
1981 19 9 10
1980 18 7 11
1979 7 7 0
1978 6 0 6
1977 12 0 12
1976 13 8 5
1975 8 0 8
1974 13 7 6
1973 8 0 8
1972 13 5 8
1971 13 7 6
1970 5 0 5
1969 6 0 6
1968 5 0 5

Top States for Shai (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 47
22%
NY 32
15%
FL 21
10%
TX 19
9%
NJ 16
7%
GA 12
6%
IL 12
6%
PA 10
5%
OH 8
4%
VA 7
3%
TN 6
3%
WA 6
3%
MD 6
3%
MI 6
3%
DC 5
2%
NC 5
2%