How Many People Are Named Wai?

Complete statistics for the name Wai: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.

Wai
Very Rare
Chinese

Wai means 'water' in Chinese and is incredibly rare, with only 1 in 1,333,365 Americans having this name. There are around 247 people named Wai living in the US today, making it a very unique choice. The name peaked in popularity in 1982 with 26 births and has remained stable since then.

~1,469
Living in US
1 in 225,629
Americans
1982
Peak Year

📖 Meaning & Origin

💬
Meaning
Water
🌐
Origin
Chinese
🌟
Lucky Day
Wednesday
💎
Lucky Stone
Aquamarine
🔢
Numerology
Life Path 6
Personality Traits
Calm Gentle Reflective
6
Life Path Number

Traditionally, the life-path number 6 symbolizes harmony, balance, and nurturing.

🌍 Worldwide Usage

2,085,379
Worldwide Bearers
#297
Global Rank
🇲🇲 Myanmar
1,787,214
🇭🇰 Hong Kong
92,174
🇲🇾 Malaysia
59,910
🇨🇳 China
56,325
🇸🇬 Singapore
20,446
🇺🇸 United States
15,266
🇹🇭 Thailand
13,259
🇮🇳 India
11,656
🇨🇦 Canada
8,655
🇲🇴 Macau
4,290

⚥ Gender Distribution

♂ Male
162 (66%)
♀ Female
85 (34%)

📊 Births by Age Group

Avg Cohort Age: 43
10
Would be under 30 (4%)
252
Would be 30–60 (96%)
0
Would be over 60 (0%)

All 262 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).

📈 Popularity Over Time

Peak: 1982

Annual US births from SSA records  ·  Trend: Stable

🏆 Name Scorecard

Popularity
71
Classic Feel
34
Modern Appeal
66
International
100

Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency

📜 Wai Through the Generations

Wai, meaning 'water' in Chinese, has seen a steady presence in the United States over the decades, though it remains a very uncommon name. With only 262 recorded births throughout history, Wai has maintained its exclusivity. Today, there are approximately 247 individuals bearing this name, with the majority being adults aged between 30 and 60. Interestingly, the name didn't see much traction until 1982 when it reached its peak with 26 births that year. Since then, it has stayed relatively constant, indicating a niche but enduring appeal among parents seeking a distinctive moniker.

📍 State Distribution (Top 10)

New York 81

✨ Similar Names to Wai

🌿 Related Names by Origin

Other names sharing Wai's Chinese roots

📄 About the Name Wai

How Many People Have the Name Wai?

Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 1,469 people in the United States currently share the name Wai. That works out to roughly 1 in every 225,629 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.

Is Wai a Common or Rare Name?

Wai is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.

What Does the Name Wai Mean?

Wai means "water" and comes from Chinese origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 6.

Gender Breakdown

Of all recorded bearers of Wai in SSA data, approximately 66% are male and 34% are female.

When Was Wai Most Popular?

The name Wai reached peak popularity in 1982, with 26 babies registered that year. Current trend: Stable.

How Is This Data Calculated?

All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are named Wai?

Approximately 1,469 people named Wai live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 1,469. That works out to roughly 1 in 225,629 Americans.

Is Wai a rare name?

Wai is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 225,629 Americans has this name.

What does the name Wai mean?

Wai means "water" and comes from Chinese origins.

Is Wai more male or female?

Based on SSA records, 66% of people named Wai are male and 34% are female.

When was Wai most popular?

Wai peaked in 1982 with 26 births that year. Current trend: Stable.

How accurate are these statistics?

All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.

Disclaimer: All results are statistical estimates based on aggregated SSA birth records and modeling. Not exact counts of individuals. Data source: SSA National Baby Names dataset.
Quick Stats
Living in US1,469
All-Time Births1,469
1 in X1 in 225,629
RarityVery Rare
GenderMale
Avg Age43
Peak Year1982
World Rank#297
Male %66%
Female %34%

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Data Source

Powered by the SSA National Baby Names dataset, birth registrations from 1880 to present.

All counts are statistical estimates. See the methodology page.