Avishai is a Hebrew masculine given name that means "my father is joy." It is often used among Jews and those of Jewish descent around the world, particularly in Israel where it is considered quite popular. The name Avishai is composed of two elements: 'avi', which means 'father' or 'ancestor,' and 'shay', derived from 'shalom', meaning 'peace' or 'joy'. Therefore, the full meaning of Avishai can be interpreted as "my father brings joy" or "my ancestor brings peace." The name is often associated with the biblical figure Avishai ben Zeruyah, a nephew and close companion of King David. Variant spellings of Avishai include Avisha'i and Avihai.
The name Avishai experienced a significant increase in popularity over time, with a steady rise from the late 90s to its peak in recent years. Between 2020 and 2023 alone, there were a total of 65 births, marking a substantial jump compared to previous decades.