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Kai
Pronounced KY /kaΙͺ/High
Meaning: Sea β from Hawaiian kaiHigh
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
In Hawaiian, kai means the sea or ocean, a powerful elemental concept in Pacific Island culture. In Welsh Arthurian legend, Cai (Kay) is one of King Arthur's knights. In Japanese, kai can mean shell, sea, or food depending on the character used. The convergence of these meanings from completely unrelated language families has made Kai a rare genuinely cross-cultural name.
Kai began appearing in U.S. given name charts in the late 20th century, initially associated with Hawaiian and Asian-American communities, and then broadened significantly as multicultural and nature-inspired short names became fashionable. It entered the U.S. top 100 boys' names around 2010 and has continued to climb, appealing for its brevity, elemental feel, and cross-cultural resonance.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- β
Kai Havertz (1999β)German professional footballer who plays for Arsenal and the German national team.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Kai mean?
Kai means 'sea' in Hawaiian, 'keeper of the keys' in Welsh tradition, and 'shell' or 'food' in Japanese β different roots that converge on the same sound.
How do you pronounce Kai?
It's said KY /kaΙͺ/ β one syllable, rhyming with 'sky'.
Is Kai a boy or girl name?
Kai is used predominantly as a boys' name in the U.S. but is genuinely unisex in some communities.
How popular is Kai?
Kai has ranked in the U.S. top 100 boys' names since around 2010 and continues to climb.