Nai
67% girls · 33% boys
About Nai
A short and snappy choice, Nai may be considered a Japanese name with a range of meanings, including "vegetables, greens", "clothing, robes", or "to sound, (bird) cry". The name may also be adapted from the Kazakh Altynai meaning "golden moon", from the Hebrew element ana meaning "to answer", the Basque Naia meaning "sea foam, wave", the Arabic Naila meaning "attainer", the Arabic Naima meaning "tranquil, at ease" or the Greek Nais meaning "water nymph".
Nai for girls#8707 US
It is also used as a masculine name in Slovenia, possibly as a variation of Nikolai.
Nai for boys#11576 US
Both Naj and Nai rank in the Slovenian Top 100 as of 2023, along with similar options, Tai, Taj, Mai, and Kai. The exact etymology of Naj and Nai is unknown, but, given that the feminine Naja is often seen as a diminutive for Anastazija or Natalija, Nai might have come about in a similar way. Potentially a short form of Nikolaj, it makes a cool, cotemporary feeling choice.
Pronounced NY.
As of November 2026, Nai ranked #8707 for girls and #11576 for boys in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #4655 for girls in 1984 and #3162 for boys in 1981.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · girls | Births · girls | US rank · boys | Births · boys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | — | 0 |