Chaim
/ˈχa.jim/
Chaim is a Hebrew name meaning “life,” from the root chayah (“to live”). It is the Ashkenazi Jewish form of Hayyim or Chayim, one of the most beloved names in the Jewish naming tradition.
The name carries a toast: L’chaim! (“To life!”)—the ubiquitous Jewish celebratory expression. Giving a child this name is itself an act of life-affirmation.
Chaim peaked at No. 607 in 2022 with 462 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 694 with 388 births, reflecting consistent use within Ashkenazi Jewish communities.
What the name Chaim means
Chaim Weizmann (1874-1952) was the first President of Israel. Novelist Chaim Potok (The Chosen, 1967) brought the name into American literary culture. Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik anchors its religious dimension.
One syllable or two, depending on speaker: KHYEM or KHY-yim—the guttural initial ch marks it as distinctly Hebrew to non-Jewish ears, which is part of its identity signal.
Parents choosing Chaim are almost invariably from Ashkenazi Jewish backgrounds, using the name as a proud assertion of Jewish cultural continuity.
Alternative forms include Haim (Sephardic), Hayim, and Hyam (anglicised). Chaim is the Ashkenazi standard and the form most common in American Orthodox communities.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Chaim
Chaim - similar names
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