Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Chava
GirlHebrew· “life”
- Meaning
- life
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- HAH-vuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,737
- US babies 2025
- 117
- Best rank
- #1,399 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Chava
Chava is a Hebrew name that means “life”.
Chava is the Hebrew form of Eve, from the word for life. In the Bible, Eve is the first woman, and her name is explained as meaning the mother of all living. Chava is used in Jewish communities and in Israel. Readers and theatergoers know it through Chava, one of Tevye's daughters in Sholem Aleichem's stories and the musical Fiddler on the Roof. The name is pronounced with a guttural Ch, KHAH-vah. It has a warm, traditional feel. Chavi is a sweet nickname.
Popularity over time
Chava first appears in US Social Security records in 1951. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,399 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 160 babies. In 2025, 117 babies were named Chava, and it ranked #1,737 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #3,232 in 1980, #2,987 in 2000, #2,078 in 2010, and #1,737 in 2025. Of the 3,552 US girls named Chava since records began, 27% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 772 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Idalia, Adalie, Pia, Avaya, and Marbella.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Chava ranked highest in New Jersey and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #165 | 49 |
| New York | #360 | 47 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Chava is usually pronounced HAH-vuh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with C and ends in “-va”.
Middle names for Chava
A few middle names that flow with Chava: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Chava
Similar names
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Lists that include Chava
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Chava mean?
Chava is a Hebrew name that means “life”.
What is the origin of the name Chava?
Chava has Hebrew roots. Chava is the Hebrew form of Eve, from the word for life.
Is Chava a popular name?
Not especially. Chava ranked #1,737 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Chava a boy or girl name?
Chava is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Chava?
Chava is usually pronounced HAH-vuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings