Ai
From Hebrew הָעַי (ha-'ai, “the heap of ruins”).
Every Ai since 1974 — 403 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ai
Ai is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1974, 403 American babies have been named Ai. Its peak came in 1991, when 19 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Ai stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ai year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | 10 | #9,580 | — | — |
| 2020 | 7 | #12,189 | — | — |
| 2019 | 10 | #9,753 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | 6 | #14,200 | — | — |
| 2016 | 6 | #14,401 | — | — |
| 2015 | 7 | #13,061 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | 9 | #11,038 | — | — |
| 2012 | 7 | #13,530 | — | — |
| 2011 | 6 | #14,867 | — | — |
| 2010 | 9 | #11,279 | — | — |
| 2009 | 10 | #10,703 | — | — |
| 2008 | 7 | #13,877 | — | — |
| 2007 | 11 | #10,143 | — | — |
| 2006 | 17 | #7,150 | — | — |
| 2005 | 13 | #8,342 | — | — |
| 2004 | 13 | #8,272 | — | — |
| 2003 | 9 | #10,445 | — | — |
| 2002 | 14 | #7,453 | — | — |
| 2001 | 7 | #12,089 | — | — |
| 2000 | 13 | #7,588 | — | — |
| 1995 | 11 | #7,524 | — | — |
| 1990 | 11 | #7,308 | — | — |
| 1985 | 7 | #8,329 | — | — |
| 1980 | 11 | #5,917 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Ai
- Ai Weiwei Artist · b. 1957
- Ai Qing Writer · 1910–1996
- Ai Yazawa Writer · b. 1967
- Ai Iijima Model · 1972–2008
- Ai Kayano Actor · b. 1987
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ai mean?
From Hebrew הָעַי (ha-'ai, “the heap of ruins”).
How popular is the name Ai in 2025?
Ai did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Ai?
403 babies have been named Ai in the United States since 1974, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ai most popular?
Ai peaked in 1991, when 19 newborns received the name.
Is Ai a boy or girl name?
Ai is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 97% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ai rising or falling?
Ai is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Ai?
Well-known people named Ai include Ai Weiwei (artist), Ai Qing (writer), Ai Yazawa (writer).