Tennis champion Naomi Osaka has always been private about her personal life. When she and rapper Cordae welcomed their first child in July 2023, fans were curious about many things. The couple’s choice of name for their daughter caught everyone’s attention.
The Meaning Behind Naomi Osaka’s Daughter’s Name
At the 2023 US Open, Osaka explained why she chose the name Shai for her daughter. “Shai means ‘God’s gift,’ and that’s how I wanted her to feel, like she’s God’s gift to me and her dad,” she said in an ESPN interview. The name comes from Hebrew and simply means “gift” or “present.” It’s rare in the U.S. and isn’t found in the top 1,000 baby names, making it unique for their little girl.
Cordae shared the name himself during a performance at the Calgary Stampede, stating:
“My daughter Shai was just born a couple days ago, so I dedicate this performance to my baby girl Shai,” he told the crowd. Their choice reflects their wish for their child to feel cherished every day.
Osaka also reflected in her documentary preview: “Some people say she ended my career, but for me, it feels like she started my career.”
Osaka and Cordae began dating in 2019 after meeting at a Los Angeles Clippers game. They kept things private before confirming their relationship in late 2019. The two were together for over five years before announcing their split in January 2025.
Feliz Aniversário, baby Shai!!!🎈
Hoje ela completa dois anos!Happy Birthday to baby Shai!!!
She’s turning two today! pic.twitter.com/tkwu9Z4XZ6— Naomi Osaka Brasil (@naomiosakabr) July 2, 2025
Shai arrived in July 2023, and during her pregnancy, Osaka said they wanted something “more unique than traditional” for baby names. Following the birth of her daughter, the Japanese told InStyle magazine that co-parenting with Cordae has been smooth.
“We built a really good foundation. I think we just respect each other’s opinions. And if we disagree on something, we talk it out. At the end of the day, we both want what’s best for Shai,” Osaka said.
Osaka on Motherhood
Just before her return to the tour in early 2024, Osaka visited Brisbane’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and spoke about motherhood’s impact.
“Being a mum has changed my life a lot. I think it changed my perspective on a lot of things,” she said. “Giving birth was one of the most painful things I’ve ever gone through. It’s definitely made me feel like physically I can handle a lot. I want to show Shai that she’s capable of everything, so that’s one of my main purposes and main reasons why I want to be back out here.”
MORE: Naomi Osaka Reveals Reality of Daughter Shai’s Birth and Postpartum Depression
The 27-year-old is currently competing at the US Open and booked her place in the fourth round following wins over Greet Minnen, Hailey Baptiste, and 15th seed Daria Kasatkina. She will next face 2023 champion Coco Gauff, with the winner facing either 11th seed Karolína Muchová or 27th seed Marta Kostyuk.
