Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Shai
UnisexHebrew· “gift”
- Meaning
- gift
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- SHY
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,032
- US babies 2025
- 215
- Best rank
- #983 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2023
Meaning and origin of Shai
Shai is a Hebrew name that means “gift”.
In modern Israel, Shai is a Hebrew name meaning 'gift' or 'present', used for both boys and girls. Its short, bright sound makes it easy to pronounce across languages, and it has a gentle, generous meaning. It fits the trend for short, meaningful names. Shay and Shaye are related spellings with separate Irish roots, but they share the same sound. Its single syllable makes it an easy middle name as well, and it works smoothly with long surnames. Parents often choose it for its simplicity as much as for its meaning.
Other spellings with the same sound: Shy.
Popularity over time
Shai first appears in US Social Security records in 1971. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 1 different years, starting in 2023. Its best national rank was #983 in 2023, the same year it reached its highest count of 224 babies. In 2025, 215 babies were named Shai, and it ranked #1,032 nationally. That is 330% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #5,426 in 1980, #3,284 in 2000, #2,722 in 2010, and #1,032 in 2025. Of the 2,469 US boys named Shai since records began, 48% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 570 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Laramie, True, Ever, Renley, and Kodi.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Shai ranked highest in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | #434 | 7 |
| New Jersey | #538 | 14 |
| New York | #557 | 29 |
| Maryland | #561 | 9 |
| Florida | #700 | 23 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Shai is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 36% of US babies named Shai were girls and 64% were boys.
Shai is usually pronounced SHY, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with S and ends in “-ai”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Shy.
Middle names for Shai
A few middle names that flow with Shai: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Shai
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Lists that include Shai
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Shai mean?
Shai is a Hebrew name that means “gift”.
What is the origin of the name Shai?
Shai has Hebrew roots. In modern Israel, Shai is a Hebrew name meaning 'gift' or 'present', used for both boys and girls.
Is Shai a popular name?
Not especially. Shai ranked #1,032 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Shai a boy or girl name?
Shai is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 36% of US babies named Shai were girls and 64% were boys.
How do you pronounce Shai?
Shai is usually pronounced SHY. 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