Kaili

♀ Girl

Pronounced KY-lee /ˈkaɪ.li/Medium

Meaning: From Hawaiian Ka'ili (an element in deity names, read as 'the snatching/the surface') or a spelling of Kylie; routes debatedLow

In 30 seconds: Island depths under a Kylie shine: Kaili echoes Hawaiian Ka'ili — an old deity-name element — while doubling as a fresh Kylie spelling. Two routes, one breezy name.

💕 Browse more names

Origin LowHawaiian, American

MeaningFrom Hawaiian Ka'ili (an element in deity names, read as 'the snatching/the surface') or a spelling of Kylie; routes debated

U.S. rank (2025)#6426 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births18 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2003

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,890

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

Kaili reads two ways: from Hawaiian Ka'ili — an element of old deity names (as in the war god Kuka'ilimoku), variously parsed — or as a modern spelling of Kylie (itself from an Aboriginal word for 'boomerang'). The routes are debated, which we flag; in Estonia, Kaili is separately a girls' name.

It registers thinly in U.S. records. Rare, island-deep or breezy-modern, and bright.

Did you know? Kaili appears inside the name of Kuka'ilimoku — the Hawaiian war god Kamehameha carried into battle — though most American Kailis answer simply to a sunny KY-lee.

Overall data confidence 52%

Hawaiian references — Ka'ili — element background

Variations

KylieKaileeKaylee

Nicknames

Kai

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kaili…

Kylie— the name it can spell

Kailani— a fellow Kai- island name

Kaylee— the rhyming modern favorite

Kaia— the companion Kai- girls' pick

Explore names like Kaili

By themeuncertain modern hawaiian

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Kaili mean?

Kaili echoes a Hawaiian deity-name element or spells Kylie; the routes are debated, so we flag it.

How do you pronounce Kaili?

It's commonly said KY-lee /ˈkaɪ.li/ — two syllables; Hawaiian use says kah-EE-lee.

Is Kaili a boy or girl name?

Kaili is mainly a girl's name in American use.

How popular is Kaili?

Kaili is a rare name in the U.S.