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Home › Baby Names Directory › Yishai

Yishai

♂ Boy

Pronounced yee-SHY /jiˈʃaɪ/Medium

Meaning: The Hebrew form of Jesse — variously 'a gift' and 'the Lord exists; my husband' (linked to yesh, 'there is'); routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A gift; the Lord exists: Yishai is the Hebrew Jesse. Lyrical, biblical, and warm (said 'yee-SHY').
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Origin MediumHebrew
MeaningThe Hebrew form of Jesse — variously 'a gift' and 'the Lord exists; my husband' (linked to yesh, 'there is'); routes layered
U.S. rank (2024)#6154 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births15 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 413

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202319902024

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Yishai is the Hebrew form of Jesse — variously read as 'a gift' and 'the Lord exists; my husband' (linked to yesh, 'there is'; routes layered, which we note). In the Bible Yishai (Jesse) was the father of King David. A lyrical, biblical Hebrew name (said 'yee-SHY'; nickname Yish).

In the U.S. it appears in Jewish and devout families. Rare, a-gift-or-the-Lord-exists at the root, and biblical.

Did you know? Jesse comes from the Hebrew Yishai, variously 'a gift' and 'the Lord exists' (linked to yesh, 'there is') — the father of King David — a lyrical, biblical Hebrew name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'yee-SHY').
Overall data confidence 60%
Behind the Name — Jesse — routes layered

Variations

JesseYshaiIshai

Nicknames

Yish

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Yishai…

Jesse— the English form
Yonatan— a sound-neighbor Hebrew boys' name
Eitan— another Hebrew boys' name
Isai— another biblical pick
Zaccai— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Yishai

By themeuncertainhebrewbiblical
By meaningGod / DivineGift / Blessing

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Yishai mean?

Yishai is the Hebrew Jesse — variously 'a gift' and 'the Lord exists'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Yishai?

It's said yee-SHY /jiˈʃaɪ/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Yishai a boy or girl name?

Yishai is a boy's name.

How popular is Yishai?

Yishai is a rare name in the U.S.

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