From Hindi word 'chai', derived from Chinese word 'cha' meaning "tea". Masala chai, literally "spice tea", is a flavored tea drink from India that usually consists of black tea, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, black pepper, and ginger (though variations exist). This is a name of recent invention, most likely due to the increasing popularity of masala chai in America.
From ชาย (chai) meaning "man" or ชัย (chai) meaning "victory". It can also function as a short form of Somchai, Sakchai, and other names containing the same element.