Kadi

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAH-dee /ˈkɑː.di/Medium

Meaning: A short name arrived at by several routes: an English pet form of Katherine or Cadence, an Estonian form of Katherine, and a familiar short form of the Mandinka and Fula name Kadiatou (itself from Arabic Khadija). Which route applies varies by family, so we note the uncertainty.Low

In 30 seconds: A small name with several homes: Kadi shortens Katherine, Cadence or Kadiatou (said 'KAH-dee'). Routes are uncertain, which we note.

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Origin LowEnglish, Estonian, West African

MeaningA short name arrived at by several routes: an English pet form of Katherine or Cadence, an Estonian form of Katherine, and a familiar short form of the Mandinka and Fula name Kadiatou (itself from Arabic Khadija). Which route applies varies by family, so we note the uncertainty.

U.S. rank (2024)#14242 ↘ Falling

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

Peak year1989

Total births (all-time)≈ 954

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

Kadi is a compact name with several possible parents: it serves as an Estonian short form of Katherine, an English nickname for Katherine or Cadence, and the familiar short form of Kadiatou, the widely used Mandinka and Fula name from Arabic Khadija. The routes are uncertain, which we note (said 'KAH-dee').

In the U.S. it appears rarely. Rare, warm, and many-rooted.

Did you know? Kadi arrives from more than one direction — an Estonian short form of Katherine, an English pet name, and the everyday short form of Kadiatou in West Africa. Which one a family means varies, and we note that honestly.

Overall data confidence 34%

References — Kadi — Katherine/Cadence/Kadiatou routes; uncertain

Variations

KadieKadyKadiatou

Nicknames

KadDee

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kadi…

Kady— a close cousin in spelling

Cadence— one of the names Kadi can shorten

Katie— a like Katherine short form

Khadija— the Arabic name behind Kadiatou

Explore names like Kadi

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kadi mean?

Kadi is a short form of Katherine, of Cadence, or of the West African Kadiatou. The routes are uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Kadi?

It's said KAH-dee — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kadi a boy or girl name?

Kadi is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Kadi?

Kadi is a rare name for girls in the U.S.