Shai
Every Shai since 1968 — 4,340 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Shai
Shai is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,032 in 2025 with 215 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1968, 4,340 American babies have been named Shai — about 57% boys and 43% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2023, when 340 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
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 Shai stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Shai 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 | 78 | #2,349 | 215 | #1,032 |
| 2024 | 101 | #1,964 | 200 | #1,089 |
| 2023 | 116 | #1,772 | 224 | #983 |
| 2022 | 107 | #1,895 | 219 | #1,020 |
| 2021 | 96 | #2,022 | 199 | #1,073 |
| 2020 | 71 | #2,466 | 120 | #1,449 |
| 2019 | 59 | #2,849 | 98 | #1,656 |
| 2018 | 48 | #3,338 | 75 | #1,975 |
| 2017 | 36 | #4,138 | 66 | #2,107 |
| 2016 | 30 | #4,716 | 52 | #2,470 |
| 2015 | 31 | #4,573 | 50 | #2,521 |
| 2014 | 26 | #5,293 | 35 | #3,208 |
| 2013 | 20 | #6,433 | 50 | #2,487 |
| 2012 | 33 | #4,474 | 55 | #2,351 |
| 2011 | 34 | #4,342 | 44 | #2,734 |
| 2010 | 25 | #5,569 | 45 | #2,722 |
| 2009 | 34 | #4,465 | 45 | #2,743 |
| 2008 | 40 | #3,997 | 55 | #2,373 |
| 2007 | 41 | #3,905 | 42 | #2,860 |
| 2006 | 41 | #3,781 | 34 | #3,211 |
| 2005 | 26 | #5,090 | 27 | #3,602 |
| 2004 | 25 | #5,188 | 33 | #3,063 |
| 2003 | 25 | #5,070 | 34 | #2,916 |
| 2002 | 34 | #3,872 | 35 | #2,741 |
| 2001 | 38 | #3,537 | 23 | #3,704 |
| 2000 | 45 | #3,111 | 26 | #3,284 |
| 1995 | 53 | #2,450 | 38 | #2,172 |
| 1990 | 11 | #7,766 | 16 | #3,749 |
| 1985 | 7 | #9,088 | 8 | #5,072 |
| 1980 | 11 | #6,238 | 7 | #5,426 |
| 1975 | 8 | #7,000 | — | — |
| 1970 | 5 | #9,055 | — | — |
| 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 Shai in 2025?
Shai ranked #1,032 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 215 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Shai?
4,340 babies have been named Shai in the United States since 1968, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Shai most popular?
Shai peaked in 2023, when 340 newborns received the name.
Is Shai a boy or girl name?
Shai is used for both: about 43% of babies named Shai have been girls and 57% boys.
Is the name Shai rising or falling?
Shai is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.