UK name, mostly boys
Wai
A unisex name of Chinese origin meaning "long-lasting" or "eternal".
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.
Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 32 girls.
Wai is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Wai popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4632, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 9 births.
This profile covers 49 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 1996 to 2014. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, 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 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 114 living people in the UK are called Wai. 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
- • Wai ranked #4632 for boys in England and Wales in 2014, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 9 boys were registered as Wai.
- • Wai ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #370 in 1991.
- • Wai is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 114 living people in the UK are estimated to have Wai as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 60.5% of Wai registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4632
2014
Births in 2014
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
9 births
Estimated living
114
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Wai
In England and Wales birth records, Wai has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 60.5% of registrations are for boys and 39.5% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Wai registered for boys
- Ranked #4,632 in 2014
- 3 boys registered in 2014
- Peak: 1996 (9 births)
Wai registered for girls
- Ranked #3,218 in 2007
- 6 girls registered in 2007
- Peak: 1999 (8 births)
Meaning
What does Wai mean?
The name Wai is believed to have its origins in the Hawaiian language, where it means "water" or "liquid." This name has been in use since ancient times, reflecting the importance of water in Hawaiian culture and the reverence for the natural world.
In Hawaiian mythology, Wai is also the name of a goddess associated with fresh water and streams. This goddess was revered for her life-giving properties and her role in sustaining the island's ecosystems.
The name Wai can be found in various ancient Hawaiian chants and oral traditions, which were passed down through generations before being recorded in written form. These chants often celebrated the beauty of the islands and the significance of water in daily life.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Wai is Wai'ali'i, a female ruler of the island of Kaua'i in the late 17th century. She was known for her wisdom and her efforts to maintain peace among the various chiefdoms on the island.
Another notable figure in Hawaiian history who bore the name Wai was Wai'olama, a celebrated warrior and chief who lived in the late 18th century. He was renowned for his bravery and leadership during times of conflict.
In the 19th century, Wai'olu was a prominent Hawaiian scholar and educator who played a significant role in preserving the Hawaiian language and culture. She was instrumental in establishing schools and promoting the study of Hawaiian traditions.
Beyond Hawaii, the name Wai has also been used in various parts of Asia, particularly in countries influenced by Chinese culture. In Chinese, the name Wai can mean "intricate" or "elegant," and it has been given to both males and females.
One famous historical figure with the name Wai is Wai Zhuliu, a renowned Chinese painter and calligrapher who lived during the 8th century. His works are celebrated for their delicate brushstrokes and artistic mastery.
In Japan, the name Wai is sometimes used as a shortened form of names like Waichiro or Waiko, although its usage is relatively rare. One notable Japanese figure with this name was Wai Tsutomu, a samurai warrior who lived in the 16th century and was known for his loyalty and martial skills.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Wai over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Wai in England and Wales, 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 Wai, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2014, compared with 9 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Wai by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Wai 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 | #4632 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3243 | 24 | 6 |
| 1990s | #1588 | 22 | 3 |
Geography
Where Wai is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Wai. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Wai ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #370 in 1991.
Across the UK
Wai in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#370 in 1991
14 years of NRS records, 68 total registered
Related
Names similar to Wai
- William 117,982
- Wilfred 5,302
- Will 3,185
- Warren 2,787
- Wyatt 2,604
- Wesley 2,513
- Woody 1,951
- Walter 1,918
- Wiktor 1,354
- Wayne 979
- Wilbur 975
- Wade 902
FAQ
Wai: questions and answers
How popular is the name Wai in the UK right now?
In 2014, Wai was ranked #4632 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Wai most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 9 babies registered as Wai in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Wai?
A unisex name of Chinese origin meaning "long-lasting" or "eternal".
How many people are called Wai in the UK?
A total of 49 babies have been registered as Wai across the 10 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 68 more in Scotland.
Where is Wai most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Wai ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #370 in 1991. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
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.