חַיִּים

Chaim

boyHebrewJewish

Chaim is a Jewish boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning “Life”.

MeaningLife
GenderBoy
OriginHebrew
Written asחַיִּים
PronunciationKHAI-eem
TraditionJewish
Used inIsrael, United States

Meaning and origin of Chaim

Chaim is the Hebrew word for 'life'. It became a personal name among Ashkenazi Jews in the Middle Ages and is sometimes given to a seriously ill child in hope of recovery. Many famous figures have borne it, including Chaim Weizmann, the first president of Israel, and Chaim Potok, the novelist. Its feminine form is Chaya.

Is Chaim a Jewish name?

Chaim is a Jewish name expressing the high value of life in Jewish tradition, echoed in the toast 'l'chaim', 'to life'.

How popular is Chaim?

Common among Orthodox Jewish families and in Israel.

Gifts with the name Chaim

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Spellings and variants of Chaim

HaimHymanChayimChaya

Names similar to Chaim

More Jewish boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Chaim mean?

Chaim means 'Life'. It is of Hebrew origin.

Is Chaim a Jewish name?

Chaim is a Jewish name expressing the high value of life in Jewish tradition, echoed in the toast 'l'chaim', 'to life'.

How do you pronounce Chaim?

Chaim is pronounced KHAI-eem.

Is Chaim a boy or girl name?

Chaim is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.