Caiah

♀ Girl

Pronounced KY-uh /ˈkaɪ.ə/Medium

Meaning: A modern respelling of Kaia/Caia, a short vowel-soft name read variously as Hawaiian kai ('the sea'), a feminine of the Greek/Latin Caius, or a Scandinavian short form of Katherine ('pure'). Routes uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A spelling of Kaia — read as 'the sea' or as a short form of Katherine (said 'KY-uh'). Routes uncertain, which we note.

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Origin LowAmerican

MeaningA modern respelling of Kaia/Caia, a short vowel-soft name read variously as Hawaiian kai ('the sea'), a feminine of the Greek/Latin Caius, or a Scandinavian short form of Katherine ('pure'). Routes uncertain, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#13741 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2016

Total births (all-time)≈ 66

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Caiah is a modern spelling of Kaia, a compact name pulled toward several roots at once — Hawaiian kai ('the sea'), the classical Caius, and the Nordic Kaja (from Katherine, 'pure'). No single route wins out; we note the uncertainty. Short, soft, and current (said 'KY-uh').

It appears only very recently and very rarely in U.S. data. Rare, breezy, and modern.

Did you know? Kaia — and so Caiah — sits at a crossroads of languages: Hawaiian kai for the sea, Greek Caius, and Scandinavian Kaja all wash into it; routes uncertain, which we note (said 'KY-uh').

Overall data confidence 30%

References — Caiah — Kaia respelling; Hawaiian/Greek/Nordic routes, uncertain

Variations

KaiaCaiaKaya

Nicknames

CaiKiki

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Caiah…

Kaia— the standard form Caiah respells

Maya— a like soft two-beat vowel name

Nyla— a like airy modern pick

Zaia— a like short -aia coinage

Explore names like Caiah

By themeuncertain modern short variant-spelling

By meaningSea / Water Purity

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Caiah mean?

Caiah is a spelling of Kaia — read variously as Hawaiian 'the sea' or a short form of Katherine, 'pure.' Routes uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Caiah?

It's said KY-uh /ˈkaɪ.ə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Caiah a boy or girl name?

Caiah is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Caiah?

Caiah is very rare in the U.S.