Wai
Primarily a boy's name of Chinese origin with 174 recorded births. Also given to 88 girls.
Meaning & Origin
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Wai is a boy's and girl's baby name of Chinese origin, from the Chinese 威 (Wēi) meaning 'might, power, prestige' or 惠 (Huì) meaning 'benefit, kindness.' In Cantonese, Wai (偉) means 'great, mighty.' The specific meaning depends on the character chosen by the parents.
Wai is common as both a given name and a surname in Chinese, Cantonese, and Vietnamese communities. Its single syllable carries concentrated meaning — the compact, powerful quality of classical Chinese names where one character says everything.
EtymologyShow more
Wai first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1970. Arriving in the 1970s, Wai appeared during a period when American naming was beginning to diversify beyond the traditional Anglo-Saxon and biblical pools.
Its Chinese classification suggests a path from chinese linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Wai has 20+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1970.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 17 | #9260 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 96 | #4831 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 61 | #4464 | — |
The Story of Wai
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1977, Wai is a Gen X staple. Boys named Wai are most likely born between 1970 and 1987.
How rare is Wai?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Wai is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1970, peaked in the 1980s with 96 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Wai by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(20 years, 1970–1995)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 5 | #10272 |
| 1994 | 7 | #7736 |
| 1992 | 5 | #9773 |
| 1989 | 10 | #5146 |
| 1988 | 7 | #6397 |
| 1987 | 8 | #5437 |
| 1986 | 13 | #3645 |
| 1985 | 6 | #6503 |
| 1984 | 13 | #3450 |
| 1983 | 11 | #3875 |
| 1982 | 13 | #3475 |
| 1981 | 7 | #5452 |
| 1980 | 8 | #4927 |
| 1979 | 8 | #4830 |
| 1978 | 8 | #4540 |
| 1977 | 15 | #2904 |
| 1976 | 13 | #3090 |
| 1974 | 5 | #5982 |
| 1973 | 7 | #4488 |
| 1970 | 5 | #5415 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Wai as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Wai has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 88 births since 1971.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wai a boy's or girl's name?
When was Wai most popular?
How popular is the name Wai?
Can Wai be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1970–1995