StorkWorldstorkworld com

Leviathan vs Shai

Which is more popular?
Leviathan and Shai are given to a similar number of US babies today.
LeviathanShai
Meaning coiled serpent gift
Origin hebrew hebrew
Gender Unisex Unisex
Pronunciation luh-VY-uh-thuhn SHY
Syllables 4 1
First appeared00
Peak year2020 (87)2023 (224)
In 202500
TrendRisingRising
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Leviathan Shai
198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeLeviathanShai
2020s 396 1,177
2010s 356 570
2000s 78 354
1990s 33 254
1980s 0 80
1970s 0 34

What does Leviathan mean?

Hebrew livyathan, a great sea-serpent/monster, generally glossed 'twisted, coiled' and derived (per Gesenius) from the root l-w-h 'to twine, wind' with a suffix, i.e. 'wreathed one'. Flag: the derivation is disputed (some hold it a loanword), and in use it is the name of a biblical serpent-monster; the 'coiled serpent' sense is the established reading.

What does Shai mean?

From Hebrew shai 'gift'. The 'gift' meaning is widely cited, though the origin is disputed: some sources derive the name instead as a diminutive of Yeshayahu (Isaiah), 'God is salvation'.

Frequently asked questions

Is Leviathan or Shai more popular?

Leviathan and Shai are given to a similar number of US babies today.

What is the difference between Leviathan and Shai?

Leviathan means coiled serpent (hebrew origin), while Shai means gift (hebrew origin).

Which name is older, Leviathan or Shai?

In US records, Leviathan first appears in 0 and Shai in 0, so Leviathan has the longer recorded history.