Chai
Every Chai since 1977 — 647 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Chai
Chai is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #10,918 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1977, 647 American babies have been named Chai — about 59% boys and 41% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1994, when 26 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 Chai stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Chai 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 | 12 | #8,468 | 6 | #10,918 |
| 2024 | 8 | #11,333 | 15 | #5,958 |
| 2023 | 12 | #8,589 | 9 | #8,375 |
| 2022 | 9 | #10,563 | 8 | #9,143 |
| 2021 | 16 | #7,027 | 7 | #9,909 |
| 2020 | 17 | #6,689 | 6 | #10,839 |
| 2019 | — | — | 8 | #9,044 |
| 2018 | 9 | #10,747 | 7 | #9,855 |
| 2017 | — | — | 7 | #9,877 |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | 8 | #12,177 | — | — |
| 2013 | 7 | #13,465 | 8 | #8,932 |
| 2012 | — | — | 7 | #9,885 |
| 2011 | 6 | #15,224 | 8 | #8,894 |
| 2010 | 5 | #17,564 | 5 | #12,559 |
| 2009 | 7 | #13,993 | 8 | #9,123 |
| 2008 | 6 | #15,789 | 6 | #11,295 |
| 2007 | 9 | #11,829 | 11 | #7,176 |
| 2006 | 6 | #15,518 | 11 | #6,987 |
| 2005 | 7 | #13,296 | 9 | #7,736 |
| 2004 | 5 | #16,617 | 9 | #7,628 |
| 2003 | 6 | #14,207 | 9 | #7,327 |
| 2002 | 7 | #12,466 | 7 | #8,599 |
| 2001 | 6 | #13,852 | 14 | #5,171 |
| 2000 | 9 | #10,052 | 7 | #8,330 |
| 1995 | 7 | #10,711 | 11 | #5,183 |
| 1990 | — | — | 11 | #4,713 |
| 1985 | — | — | 10 | #4,090 |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Chai in 2025?
Chai ranked #10,918 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Chai?
647 babies have been named Chai in the United States since 1977, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Chai most popular?
Chai peaked in 1994, when 26 newborns received the name.
Is Chai a boy or girl name?
Chai is used for both: about 41% of babies named Chai have been girls and 59% boys.
Is the name Chai rising or falling?
Chai is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.