Chi
Chi is a name with multiple cultural origins: Vietnamese, Igbo Mythology, Igbo.
- Vietnamese
- Igbo Mythology
- Igbo
Meaning & Origin of Chi
What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.
Chi is a name with multiple cultural origins: Vietnamese, Igbo Mythology, Igbo.
Origin data from Behind the Name .
Cultural Origins (via Behind the Name)
- Vietnamese
- Igbo Mythology
- Igbo
The Story of Chi
As a girl name
The earliest SSA record of Chi as a girl name dates back to 1970, when 5 babies received it. 2023 was its biggest year on record, with 32 newborns named Chi — #4,361 in the national rankings. The 1980s were its strongest decade, accounting for roughly 24% of all recorded Chis. In the latest 2026 data it stands at #5,382 among girl names with 23 births, rising sharply (+46% over the past five years). In total, more than 792 Chis have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1970s through the 2020s.
As a boy name
American parents first put Chi on the record books as a boy name in 1970, with 6 registered babies. Its peak popularity came in 1985, when 24 Chis were born — ranking #2,226 that year. The 1980s were its strongest decade, accounting for roughly 29% of all recorded Chis. In the latest 2026 data it stands at #5,631 among boy names with 16 births, rising sharply (+47% over the past five years). In total, more than 585 Chis have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1970s through the 2020s.
Popularity Over Time
Popularity by State
Variants & Related Forms of Chi
Foreign forms, alternate spellings, and nicknames that share roots with Chi. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
Names that sound like Chi
Phonetically similar names — useful when Chi is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chi
What does the name Chi mean?
What is the origin of the name Chi?
How popular is Chi in 2026?
When was Chi most popular?
In which U.S. states is Chi most popular?
Is Chi a unisex name?
What names go well with Chi?
What are nicknames or variants of Chi?
About the name Chi
Chi is a unisex baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1970 and has accumulated 792 births in the dataset. Chi's peak popularity came in 2023 when it ranked #2,506. Use the chart and map above to compare Chi's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.
Continue exploring
- Top names of 2023 →
- Names of the 2020s →
- Names starting with "C" →
- Browse all girl names →
- Top names of 2026 →
- Browse unisex names →
Data sources
- Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
- Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
- Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
- Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
- Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .
Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.