Shai

♀ Girl

Pronounced SHAY /ˈʃaj/Medium

Meaning: giftMedium

In 30 seconds: Shai is a Hebrew name meaning 'gift'. The exact sense is debated, so treat the meaning as likely rather than settled.

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Origin MediumHebrew

Meaninggift

U.S. rank (2024)#1963 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births101 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,793

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

In Hebrew, Shai is most often read as 'gift', though sources disagree, and the meaning here is marked as disputed. The name is short and unisex, used for both girls and boys. The longer forms grouped with it, such as Isaiah and the Hebrew Yesha'yahu, point toward a connection some sources draw with that biblical name.

The single open syllable gives Shai a light, easy sound. It sits among related spellings like Isaias and Isiah, fuller names that share the same Hebrew roots.

Did you know? The meaning attached to Shai is 'gift', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 68%

Behind the Name - Shai — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

IsaiahEsaiasYesha'yahuIsaiasIsiah

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (1998–present)
Male public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Shai…

Isaiah— Listed as a related form sharing Shai's Hebrew background.

Isaias— A related spelling grouped with Shai by shared Hebrew origin.

Isiah— A pared-down variation linked to Shai through the same root.

Frequently Asked

What does the name Shai mean?

Shai is usually explained as meaning 'gift' and is most often linked with Hebrew tradition.

How do you pronounce Shai?

It's commonly said SHAY /ˈʃaj/.

Is Shai a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Shai is used as a girl name.

How popular is Shai?

In 2024, Shai ranked #1963 in the U.S. for girls, with 101 births recorded.