Find out how popular the first name Chai has been for the last 47 years (from 1977 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Chai by gender

Based on the last 47 years of data, Chai is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 60% of people named Chai being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 12 female babies and 9 male babies born with the name Chai.

It's also interesting to see that despite Chai being historically a mostly male name, the most recent data from 2023 shows a shift in the trend, with more female babies being named Chai.

The history of the first name Chai

The name Chai has its origins in several languages and cultures, although its precise etymology is somewhat uncertain. It is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "chāya," which means "shadow" or "shade." This root word is also found in various other Indian languages, such as Hindi and Punjabi.

In the Indian subcontinent, the name Chai has been used for centuries, particularly among Hindus and Sikhs. It may have been initially associated with the concept of protection or shelter, as a shadow provides respite from the sun's harsh rays. Some historical records also suggest that the name was given to children born during the monsoon season, when the rains brought relief from the oppressive heat.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Chai can be found in the ancient Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, where it is mentioned as the name of a character. Additionally, there are references to individuals named Chai in various Sanskrit texts and inscriptions dating back to the early medieval period.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Chai. One of the most famous was Chai Singh (1721-1774), a prominent Sikh warrior and military leader who played a crucial role in the establishment of the Sikh Empire. Another individual of note was Chai Raja (1720-1781), a renowned artist and painter who worked under the patronage of the Mughal emperors.

In more recent times, Chai Prayogo (1912-1999) was an Indonesian novelist and playwright who made significant contributions to the literary landscape of his country. Chai Wusheng (1918-2011) was a Chinese linguist and scholar who specialized in the study of minority languages in China.

Another notable figure was Chai Natthaphon (1943-2020), a Thai politician and activist who played a pivotal role in the country's pro-democracy movement during the 1970s and 1980s. He was imprisoned for several years for his political activities but later became a prominent voice for human rights and social justice in Thailand.

It is worth noting that while the name Chai has its roots in South Asian languages, it has also been adopted and used in various other cultures and regions around the world, often with slight variations in spelling or pronunciation.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Chai was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Chai, please contact us.

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