Zhi, pronounced /ʒiː/ in the pinyin system of romanization, is of Chinese origin and means "wisdom" or "intelligence". It's a unisex name that has been popular among Chinese speakers for centuries. In Chinese characters, Zhi can be written as 智 or 誌, with both versions being equally common. This name carries a positive connotation, as intelligence is highly valued in many cultures. The character used to write Zhi also shares the radical of "heart" (心), suggesting an inner wisdom or intelligence that comes from within. Zhi has been used as both a given name and a surname throughout Chinese history. Some notable figures with this name include Zhi Yong, a former governor of Hubei province in China, and Zhi Li, a renowned poet of the Southern Dynasties period. In Western cultures, Zhi may be unfamiliar but has gained some traction in recent years due to globalization and increased cultural exchange.
The name Zhi experienced its peak popularity between the years 2001 and 2004, with a high of 19 births in 2001. However, its usage has since declined, with fewer than 10 births per year from 2005 onwards, and only 5 births recorded in each of the past three years (2016-2019). Overall, there were a total of 170 babies named Zhi between 1988 and 2019.