UK girl's name
Ai
An English feminine name representing love or affection.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2014. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Ai is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Ai popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5691, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 3 births.
This profile covers 15 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1996 to 2014. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 15 living people in the UK are called Ai. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2015 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Ai ranked #5691 for girls in England and Wales in 2014, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 3 girls were registered as Ai.
- • About 15 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ai as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5691
2014
Births in 2014
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
3 births
Estimated living
15
2026
Meaning
What does Ai mean?
The name Ai has its origins in various languages and cultures across the world. In Japanese, the name is written using the kanji character 愛, which means "love" or "affection." This name has been in use in Japan for centuries and is often given to girls as a representation of the love and care their parents have for them.
In Hawaiian culture, the name Ai is derived from the word 'ai, which means "to eat" or "to consume." It is a traditionally feminine name that carries connotations of nourishment and sustenance. The name has been used in Hawaii for generations and is deeply rooted in the island's rich cultural heritage.
In Hindi, the name Ai is a shortened form of the name Aisha, which is derived from the Arabic name 'Aysha, meaning "alive" or "prosperous." This name has its roots in Islamic tradition and is often given to girls in various parts of India and the Middle East.
Historically, the name Ai has been mentioned in several ancient texts and religious scriptures. In the Bible, Ai is the name of a Canaanite city that was conquered by the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua. This reference can be found in the Book of Joshua, which is part of the Old Testament.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Ai can be found in the ancient Japanese text known as the Kojiki, which dates back to the early 8th century. The text mentions an empress named Ai, who ruled in the 6th century AD.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Ai. Here are five examples:
1. Ai Weiwei (born 1957) - A renowned Chinese contemporary artist and activist known for his thought-provoking installations and his advocacy for human rights and freedom of expression.
2. Ai Qing (1910-1996) - One of the most influential Chinese poets of the 20th century, known for his works that reflected the struggles and aspirations of the common people.
3. Ai Ogawa (1914-2005) - A Japanese author and poet who wrote extensively about the experiences of women in modern Japanese society.
4. Ai Fukuhara (born 1988) - A former professional table tennis player from Japan who has won numerous international championships and accolades.
5. Ai Yazawa (born 1967) - A Japanese manga artist known for her popular series "Nana," which explores the lives and relationships of two young women in Tokyo.
These individuals, among many others, have carried the name Ai throughout history, each leaving their unique imprint on their respective fields and contributing to the cultural richness associated with this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ai over time
The chart below shows babies named Ai registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2014. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Ai, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2014, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ai by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ai was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5738 | 6 | 2 |
| 2000s | #4930 | 6 | 2 |
| 1990s | #3795 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Ai
- Amelia 94,830
- Ava 54,556
- Amy 52,495
- Alice 46,815
- Abigail 45,658
- Amber 31,922
- Anna 27,802
- Alexandra 19,455
- Amelie 18,051
- Abbie 15,971
- Aimee 15,158
- Annabelle 15,120
FAQ
Ai: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ai in the UK right now?
In 2014, Ai was ranked #5691 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Ai most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 3 babies registered as Ai in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ai?
An English feminine name representing love or affection.
How many people are called Ai in the UK?
A total of 15 babies have been registered as Ai across the 5 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.