Shai
How to say it: SHY · /ˈʃaɪ/
Hebrew name meaning 'gift'; a short, modern-feeling name used in Israel for both boys and girls.
Shai was the 908th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 293 babies of either sex (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up about 75% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #587 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #908 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 (both sexes) | 293 |
| Share of births | 1 in 8,350 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | +75% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #587 |
| In France, 2025 | #1,110 among boys’ names, 20 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
A recent arrival of the last few decades, Shai finds its peak in the 2020s. Currently at that high, it is expected to keep rising.
What goes with it
One breathy syllable gives it a quiet modern lightness. Ezri shares its concise spirit.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Shai is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French, Hebrew.
In France: #1,110 for boys in 2025.
Famous people named Shai
- Shai Piron (born 1965)Israeli politician
- Shai Maestro (born 1987)Israeli pianist
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Keep exploring
About as popular as Shai
Find names you'll both love, starting with Shai
The one-minute style quiz.