Entry № 2504 · Polynesian, Maori origin

Vai Vai — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ VIE /

Gender

Girl

Origin

Polynesian, Maori

Meaning

"Water"

Syllables

Rank · US 2025

№ 0

First recorded

Ancient (Polynesian)

The meaning

A name that means "water".

Vai is the Polynesian and Maori word for "water" — sacred in Polynesian cultures across the Pacific. Used as a feminine name.

Vai (2019) is the New Zealand-Pacific anthology film about Polynesian women across seven Pacific islands.

Water. The sacred Polynesian element.

In its original form

The name in its native script.

Vai

Transliteration: Vai
Pronunciation: / vaɪ /
Root: —
Grammatical form: —

Popularity

Where Vai stands.

Current rank · 2025

№ 0 in the U.S.

All-time peak

№ 0 in 0

Babies named Vai · last year

87 in the U.S.

First entered SSA top-1000

Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular

Namesakes

Vais before her.

Real people

Vai

Common Polynesian name.

In fiction

Vai

Heroine of Vai.

2019 NZ-Pacific film

Names connected to Vai.

Numerology

The number behind Vai.

The Free Spirit

Vai reduces to five — the number of Polynesian water.

Parents on Vai

Why families chose this name.

"Water in Polynesian. Three letters. Vai."

Mere · Mother of one · Apia