All About Naomi Osaka and Cordae’s Daughter, Shai

Naomi Osaka and Cordae are new parents!

The four-time Grand Slam singles champion and American rapper boyfriend welcomed their first child, daughter Shai, together in July 2023. The exciting news comes five months after the couple revealed they were expecting in January via Instagram.

“Can’t wait to get back on court, but here’s a little update on life for 2023,” Osaka captioned her post, with a carousel of images that included a photo of an ultrasound screen and a heartfelt message. In the note, which was written in English and Japanese in the following slides, the tennis star reflected on her next chapter.

“The past few years have been interesting to say the least, but I find that the most challenging times in life are perhaps the most fun. These few months away from the sport have really given me a new love and respect for the game I have dedicated my life to,” she wrote.

Pregnant Naomi Osaka reveals she’s expecting a baby girl, celebrates with princess-themed shower

“I realize life is so short and I don’t take any moment for granted, every day is a new blessing and adventure. I know I have so much to look forward to in the future, one thing I am looking forward to is my child watching one of my games and tells someone ‘that’s my mom,’ haha,” Osaka continued in part.

Osaka also vowed to return to tennis after welcoming her first child with Cordae, whom she began dating in 2019. In fact, just six weeks after giving birth to Shai, Osaka returned to running and shared her intense workouts on social media networks.

“2023 will be a year full of lessons for me and I hope to see you at the start of the next one as I will be at Aus 2024. I love you all so much,” she wrote on Instagram.

Here’s everything there is to know about Osaka and Cordae’s baby girl, Shai.

Her name has a special meaning

Allen Berezovsky/Getty

Speaking to PEOPLE in early 2023, the mom-to-be hinted at her thoughts on baby names. “We talked about names. I’d say we’re going for something more unique than traditional,” she said at the time.

Osaka’s boyfriend Cordae announced their daughter’s name at a concert at Canada’s Calgary Stampede in July 2023.

“My daughter Shai was born a few days ago, so I dedicate this performance to my little girl Shai,” he said told the crowd between songs. “I love you, I’m coming home,” he added.

In the midst of her tennis maternity leave, Osaka explained to ESPN at the 2023 US Open why she and Cordae chose their daughter’s name. Shai means “Gift of God,” she revealed.

“I wanted her to feel like she was a gift from God to me and her dad,” she added. As for how motherhood is treating Osaka, she said, “It’s definitely a weird feeling to know that someone is leaning on me.”

However, she knows who to turn to for help when she needs it. – I still call my mom all the time – she admitted. “And knowing that this little person is going to grow up and do the same … I’m excited about that.”

Naomi Osaka Shares First Look at Daughter Shai’s ‘Peaceful and Serene’ Nursery (Exclusive)

Naomi did not reveal whether she will have a boy or a girl right away

Naomi Osaka/Instagram

In June 2023, Osaka announced that she was expecting a baby girl during a princess-themed baby shower. “☺️🤍💜,” she simply captioned a series of photos shared on Instagram, posing in front of pink and purple balloons.

Although she announced the gender of her baby in June, the professional tennis player knew since February. “I’ve been preparing, but he doesn’t know the gender yet, only I do,” Osaka revealed to PEOPLE at the time, referring to boyfriend Cordae. “So it’s not like I can build a room or anything.”

She debuted on Instagram in July 2023

Naomi Osaka/Instagram

Although Osaka and Cordae kept Shai’s face off social media, the new mom shared a first look at her baby on Instagram shortly after her birth.

In the photo, Shai can be seen wearing a white jumpsuit with tennis motifs scattered throughout the fabric. Osaka also included a photo of her baby bump, her in the hospital, and a picnic photo with ‘Mom’ balloons in the background.

“Well that was a great little break,” Osaka cheekily captioned the photos. “Now back to your regular schedule 🎾✌🏾💕.”

Naomi wants to make Shai “proud”

Naomi Osaka/Instagram

Osaka wants to put mental health first, for her baby and all children around the world. Before giving birth to Shai, the then-mom-to-be partnered with Modern Health to launch a collection of children’s meditations for learning about mental health and well-being.

As the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey warns of an unprecedented youth mental health crisis, Osaka hopes to be part of a change — from talking about her own mental health to being a resource for other young people.

Like other new parents, Osaka wants a better world for her child in which to grow and thrive, and she begins that work with herself. “For me,” she told PEOPLE in March 2023, “I just want to be the best version of myself.”

“Obviously, I’ve never been a mother before so I’m taking it day by day and just trying to be someone my son or daughter will be proud of,” she added.

Naomi Osaka shares a look at her workouts 6 weeks after the arrival of baby Shai

Her nursery is cloud themed

Naomi Osaka/Instagram

Shortly after Sha’s birth, Osaka spoke with PEOPLE about her daughter’s nursery and the meaning behind its design. “I wanted something that was very calm and serene that would help the baby and I feel comfortable,” she told PEOPLE.

“The Crate & Kids team really brought that atmosphere to life through the color palette and all the textures, but also through the beautiful cloud mural they painted on the walls.” However, it was not easy to determine the creative direction.

“That was the hardest part because I loved them all and it was hard to choose one!” she admitted. “We ended up with a cloud theme, which really seems perfect for what we envisioned.”

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Source: HIS Education