Fun Facts About the Name Dai
- 212 babies named Dai: U.S. records list 212 babies given the name Dai from 1880 through 2025. Even 90 girls received the name Dai.
What Does the Name Dai Mean?
Dai is most often a Welsh familiar form of Dafydd, the Welsh equivalent of David, and therefore means "beloved." Dafydd comes from Latin David, from Greek Dauid, from the Hebrew name David. The Hebrew name's origin is not fully settled; it is commonly connected with a root meaning "beloved," but some scholars link it to a word for "uncle" or to another Semitic root, so the meaning is best described as traditional rather than certain.
As an unrelated Japanese name, Dai is normally written 大 and means "great" or "large." It is used alone and as the first element of longer names. Chinese Dài is usually a surname, written 戴, and Vietnamese Đại, from the same character 大, means "great." These names resemble the Welsh name in Roman letters but have separate origins.
Dai Name History & Origins
Dai is a Welsh short form of Dafydd (David). The name David reached Wales through the Latin Bible and the early church, and Welsh developed two forms of it: Dewi, the name of the sixth-century bishop who became the patron saint of Wales, and Dafydd, the ordinary given name. Dai arose beside Dafydd as the clipped, everyday form used in speech, in the same way Welsh speakers shorten other names. It has long served as a byname and is now also used in Wales as a given name in its own right. In Welsh it rhymes with English "eye."
Japanese Dai, written 大, is a common one-character masculine name and a first element in longer names such as Daisuke and Daiki. Chinese Dài, usually the surname 戴, and Vietnamese Đại, from 大, are separate names that happen to share the same romanized spelling; Đại also appears in the historical name Đại Việt, used for Vietnamese kingdoms from the eleventh century.
How Popular is the Name Dai?
Dai has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1985. Its best rank was #3,636 in 1985.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #15,447 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2020 | #13,823 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2018 | #11,638 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2017 | #13,023 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2011 | #17,403 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2010 | #17,632 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2009 | #17,954 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2007 | #18,270 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2006 | #15,571 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2005 | #12,088 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2001 | #13,917 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2000 | #13,561 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1999 | #10,569 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1996 | #13,998 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1978 | #10,080 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | #9,766 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2010 | #12,630 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2001 | #8,487 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2000 | #8,368 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1998 | #9,908 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1996 | #9,289 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1995 | #7,993 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1993 | #6,957 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1992 | #6,233 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1991 | #7,459 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1987 | #6,261 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1986 | #4,541 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1985 | #3,636 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 1983 | #4,590 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1982 | #5,791 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1981 | #4,595 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1977 | #6,017 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1976 | #5,770 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Most Popular Boy Names That Start with D
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How the Name Dai Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are strong in material matters, determined and stubborn. You have good business ability. You are a good worker, steady and practical, a builder who takes responsibility well. These qualities may bring you a position of authority and power. You are a doer, down-to-earth, serious-minded, reliable, and self-disciplined; have good power of concentration. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You are seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.
✦ Dai's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Dai's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.