Given name & surname
Madai
“measured by Yah”·“my measure(ment)”
Madai is a masculine given name. It is used in Sandawe.
Original Hebrewמדי
Meaning & origin
What it means
As a biblical name, Madai is thought to mean “measured by Yah” or “my measure(ment).”
From biblical name research
Where it comes from
Madai is a biblical name, probably from Hebrew.
From biblical name research
How it developed
Possibly from the Hebrew verb madad (מדד), “to measure, and possibly.”
From biblical name research
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1979. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
In the Bible
In the Bible, the name Madai appears in Genesis 10:2, 1 Chronicles 1:5, Genesis 10:5 and 2 other passages.
- Genesis 10:2
- 1 Chronicles 1:5
- Genesis 10:5
- Genesis 10:20
- Genesis 10:31
From biblical name research
Madai through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 571
- 0 boys · 571 girls
- Most popular year
- 2005
- 27 babies
- 2025
- 0
- Outside the ranked list
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −26%
- Easing
By the numbers
The most recent published U.S. birth count for girls is 5 in 2024. Later missing counts do not mean the name went unused. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 868 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Madai’s family of names
In English usage, Madai as a surname has a related form in MADAY. In Greek usage, Madai as a surname is a transliteration of Μαδάι.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
See also 1
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
Similar names
If you love Madai, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Aridai
“freely” · “my freedom”
>99% girls
Ammi
“my people”
>99% girls
Achan
“but perhaps serpent”
>99% girls
Abihail
“the father is might” · “father of strength”
>99% girls
Zabdi
“my gift” · “gift of Yah”
>99% girls
Ahlai
“o would that!” · “ah my desire!”
>99% girls
Jaazaniah
“Yah harkens”
20% boys · 80% girls
Vaniah
“but perhaps weak or Yah is praise”
>99% girls