Jahai first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Jahai has been for the last 9 years (from 2007 to 2015) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Jahai

An Arabic name meaning carefree, spontaneous, or independent.

Popularity of Jahai by gender

Based on the last 9 years of data, Jahai is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2015, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Jahai.

Year Male Count Female Count
2015 5 0
2007 6 0

The history of the first name Jahai

The name Jahai is believed to have originated from the Jahai people, an indigenous Austroasiatic ethnic group residing in the rainforests of the Malay Peninsula, primarily in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand. The Jahai language, a member of the Aslian branch of the Austro-Asiatic language family, is spoken by this community.

The Jahai people are one of the few remaining hunter-gatherer societies in the world, and their name is likely derived from the Malay word "hutan" or "hutan rimba," which means "forest" or "jungle." This suggests that the name Jahai may have been derived from their deep connection to the rainforest environment they call home.

Historical records and ancient texts mentioning the name Jahai are scarce, as this indigenous community has largely lived in isolation from mainstream society. However, the name itself carries a sense of connection to nature and the forest, reflecting the Jahai people's way of life and their harmonious coexistence with the natural world.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Jahai can be found in the writings of early European explorers and anthropologists who encountered and studied the Jahai people in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some notable individuals with the name Jahai from this time period include Jahai Batok, a respected Jahai hunter and guide who assisted anthropologists in documenting the cultural practices and traditions of his community.

Another notable figure is Jahai Mengkak, a skilled craftsman and expert in traditional Jahai basketry and weaving techniques. His intricate works were highly sought after and showcased in various ethnographic exhibitions and museums.

In the mid-20th century, Jahai Lembang gained recognition as a respected elder and storyteller within the Jahai community. He was known for his vast knowledge of Jahai oral traditions, myths, and legends, which he shared with researchers and helped preserve for future generations.

More recently, Jahai Balang, born in the 1960s, has been an influential figure in advocating for the rights and protection of the Jahai people's traditional lands and way of life. He has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the threats posed by deforestation and commercial development to the Jahai's ancestral territories.

Jahai Meni, born in the late 20th century, is a talented Jahai artist and craftsperson who has gained recognition for her intricate beadwork and traditional clothing designs. Her works have been showcased in various cultural exhibitions and events, celebrating the rich artistic heritage of the Jahai community.

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 Jahai was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Jahai first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 13, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/jahai-meaning-and-history/.

"Jahai first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/jahai-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 13 May, 2025

Jahai first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/jahai-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.