Given name & surname
Chaim
“one who gives life”·“a giver of life”
Chaim is a variant of Chai. Interpretations include “one who gives life” (Hebrew) and “a giver of life” (Hebrew). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Chaim is a variant of Chai. Interpretations include “one who gives life” (Hebrew) and “a giver of life” (Hebrew). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
In Jewish use, Chaim has an alternative spelling in Hyam. An origin associated with Hyam is Hebrew.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In Jewish use, Chaim is used as a spelling variant of Hyam.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1942. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Chaim through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 12,078
- 12,072 boys · 6 girls
- Most popular year
- 2022
- 462 babies
- 2025
- 411
- #666 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +21%
- Rising
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 411 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 666 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 21.1% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. In 2025, New York had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (260). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 8,326 as a first name in 2020; 158 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Chaim’s family of names
In English usage, Chaim as a surname shares an earlier linguistic root with HEIM. Chaim has a related form in Chai. In English usage, Chaim has a related form in Haim.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Chaim has relatives in 5 languages.
9 related names in 5 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 3
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 4
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 7
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
See also 2
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Chaim
- Chaim WeizmannIsraeli statesman and British chemist (1874–1952)
- Chaim Herzog6th President of Israel (1983–1993) – (born1918–1997)
- Chaim TopolIsraeli actor (1935–2023)
- Haim Bar-LevIsraeli military officer and politician (1924-1994)
- Chaim PotokAmerican rabbi and author (1929–2002)
- Haim RamonIsraeli politicianborn 1950
- Haim ArlosoroffZionist leader (1899–1933)
- Hayyim ben Joseph VitalRabbi and kabbalist (1542-1620)
- Haim KatzIsraeli politicianborn 1947
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Appears in
Similar names
If you love Chaim, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Asa
“doctor, healer” · “born in the morning”
89% boys · 11% girls
Ayaan
Ayaan is a masculine given name.
98% boys · 2% girls
Ace
“one who excels; number one; the best”
99% boys · 1% girls
Rhys
“ardour” · “having great enthusiasm for life”
95% boys · 5% girls
Hank
“the ruler of the house” · “home”
>99% boys
Clark
“a cleric; a clerk”
98% boys · 2% girls
Khalil
“a beloved friend”
99% boys · 1% girls
Zyaire
“a, man from Zaire”
96% boys · 4% girls