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Shai
♂ Boy
Pronounced SHY /ʃaɪ/High
Meaning: Gift; from Hebrew shai (gift, present, offering)High
In 30 seconds: A Hebrew name meaning 'gift,' from the same root as the biblical concept of bringing gifts or offerings. Short, bright, and confident — known to basketball fans as the first name of NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningGift; from Hebrew shai (gift, present, offering)
U.S. rank (2024)#1086 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births200 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,254
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Shai derives from Hebrew shai (gift, offering), related to the act of bringing gifts. It is used as a given name in Israel and Jewish communities. The name appears in the phrase 'bring shai' (bring gifts) in biblical-era Hebrew.
Shai ranked #1086 for boys in 2024, boosted by NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Did you know? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (born 2000), the Canadian-Trinidadian NBA star known as SGA, has revived this Hebrew name's profile for an entirely new generation — his distinctive name has become one of basketball's most recognizable.
Overall data confidence 92%
Behind the Name — Shai — Hebrew etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data
Variations
ShayShaye
Nicknames
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Famous Bearers
- ★Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (1998–present)Canadian NBA basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, known as SGA. An NBA MVP and 2025 NBA Finals MVP and champion.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Shai mean?
Shai means 'gift' in Hebrew, from shai (offering, gift).
How do you pronounce Shai?
It's said SHY — one syllable, rhyming with 'sky.'
Is Shai a boy or girl name?
Shai is used primarily as a boys' name.
How popular is Shai?
Shai ranked #1086 for U.S. boys in 2024.