Shai is of Hebrew origin, translating to 'gift'. It's traditionally given to boys but has also been embraced for girls in recent years. The name gained popularity worldwide due to its short, catchy sound and its association with the beautiful Hebrew language.
The name Shai experienced a significant increase in popularity over the decades, with a notable spike in recent years. From just seven births recorded annually between 1971 and 1986, there was a marked rise to double-digit figures from 1987 onwards. The most striking growth occurred from 2015 onward, where birth counts more than doubled each year, reaching an unprecedented high of 219 births in both 2022 and 2023. Overall, the name Shai has been given to a total of 2048 babies between 1971 and 2023.