UK boy's name
Chayim
A masculine Hebrew name meaning "life" or "alive".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Chayim is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Chayim popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4991, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 3 births.
This profile covers 9 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2001 to 2023. 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 9 living people in the UK are called Chayim. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Chayim ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 3 boys were registered as Chayim.
- • About 9 living people in the UK are estimated to have Chayim as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4991
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
2001
3 births
Estimated living
9
2026
Meaning
What does Chayim mean?
The name Chayim has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "chai," which means "life" or "living." The name is a plural form and translates to "lives" or "lives of."
In the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament, the phrase "Chayim Tovim" is used to express a wish for a good and long life. This phrase can be found in various contexts throughout the scriptures, emphasizing the importance and value placed on life in Jewish tradition.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Chayim can be found in the Talmud, a central text of Rabbinic Judaism. The Talmud mentions several individuals with the name Chayim, such as Chayim ben Zakkai, a renowned Jewish scholar and leader who lived during the 1st century CE.
Throughout history, the name Chayim has been borne by several notable figures within the Jewish community. One prominent example is Chayim Nachman Bialik (1873-1934), a renowned Hebrew poet and writer who is considered a pioneer of modern Hebrew literature. His works played a significant role in reviving and promoting the use of the Hebrew language.
Another famous individual named Chayim is Chayim Weizmann (1874-1952), a prominent Zionist leader and the first President of Israel. He was instrumental in the establishment of the State of Israel and played a crucial role in the Zionist movement.
In the realm of religion, Chayim ibn Attar (1696-1743) was a distinguished Moroccan-born rabbi and kabbalist. He authored several influential works on Jewish mysticism and was revered for his profound spiritual teachings.
Chayim Soltzer (1619-1688), a renowned rabbi and leader of the Jewish community in Frankfurt, Germany, is another notable figure who bore the name Chayim. He was highly respected for his scholarship and leadership during a period of significant challenges faced by the Jewish community in Europe.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have carried the name Chayim, reflecting its deep-rooted connections to Jewish culture, tradition, and the celebration of life itself.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Chayim over time
The chart below shows babies named Chayim registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Chayim, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Chayim by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Chayim 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4991 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4685 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3134 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Chayim
- Charlie 104,761
- Callum 65,796
- Connor 53,072
- Cameron 40,394
- Charles 33,091
- Christopher 26,849
- Caleb 15,553
- Corey 12,622
- Carter 11,505
- Cody 11,075
- Conor 10,298
- Christian 9,695
FAQ
Chayim: questions and answers
How popular is the name Chayim in the UK right now?
In 2023, Chayim was ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Chayim most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 3 babies registered as Chayim in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Chayim?
A masculine Hebrew name meaning "life" or "alive".
How many people are called Chayim in the UK?
A total of 9 babies have been registered as Chayim across the 3 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.