Zai
Every Zai since 2001 — 318 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Zai
Zai is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,039 in 2025 with 20 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 2001, 318 American babies have been named Zai — about 78% boys and 22% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2023, when 33 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Zai stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Zai year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | #14,895 | 20 | #5,039 |
| 2024 | — | — | 28 | #3,980 |
| 2023 | 7 | #13,418 | 26 | #4,215 |
| 2022 | 6 | #15,260 | 25 | #4,296 |
| 2021 | 5 | #17,600 | 17 | #5,556 |
| 2020 | 8 | #12,111 | 23 | #4,420 |
| 2019 | — | — | 22 | #4,632 |
| 2018 | 8 | #12,431 | 7 | #10,734 |
| 2017 | 6 | #15,853 | 5 | #14,213 |
| 2016 | 5 | #18,808 | 9 | #8,793 |
| 2015 | — | — | 9 | #8,726 |
| 2014 | 5 | #19,155 | 15 | #5,991 |
| 2013 | — | — | 10 | #8,102 |
| 2012 | 5 | #19,474 | 6 | #12,241 |
| 2011 | — | — | 9 | #8,750 |
| 2010 | 5 | #19,778 | 6 | #12,193 |
| 2009 | — | — | 5 | #14,494 |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | 5 | #13,195 |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | 5 | #17,938 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Zai in 2025?
Zai ranked #5,039 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 20 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Zai?
318 babies have been named Zai in the United States since 2001, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Zai most popular?
Zai peaked in 2023, when 33 newborns received the name.
Is Zai a boy or girl name?
Zai is used for both: about 22% of babies named Zai have been girls and 78% boys.
Is the name Zai rising or falling?
Zai is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.