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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kao

Kao

♂ Boy

Pronounced KOW /ˈkaʊ/Medium

Meaning: A single-syllable name found in Hmong families in the U.S. and also as a romanization of Chinese given names and the surname Gao. Meaning depends entirely on the language and the characters behind it, so no single sense can be claimed. Routes vary, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: One short beat with more than one home: Kao is used in Hmong families and also romanizes Chinese names (said 'KOW'). Routes vary, which we note.
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Origin LowHmong, Chinese
MeaningA single-syllable name found in Hmong families in the U.S. and also as a romanization of Chinese given names and the surname Gao. Meaning depends entirely on the language and the characters behind it, so no single sense can be claimed. Routes vary, which we note.
U.S. rank (2023)#13186 ↘ Falling
2023 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1981
Total births (all-time)≈ 467

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198119802023

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

Kao is a one-syllable name carried in the U.S. chiefly by Hmong families, and it also appears as a romanization of Chinese given names and of the surname Gao. Because romanized spellings flatten distinctions made in writing and tone, the meaning depends on the underlying characters. We give the routes honestly and note they vary (said 'KOW').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, one-beat, and community-rooted.

Did you know? Kao is one of those names whose meaning lives in the writing system rather than the sound — the same romanization can stand for quite different Chinese characters, so no single meaning fits (said 'KOW').
Overall data confidence 32%
References — Kao — Hmong given name; romanization of Chinese names/surname Gao; routes vary

Variations

KauGaoCao

Nicknames

KaoKay

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kao…

Kai— a like one-beat pick
Koa— a same short open-vowel choice
Bao— a like romanized name in sound
Tao— a warm one-syllable cousin

Explore names like Kao

By themeuncertainshortchinesehmong
By meaningGift / Blessing

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Kao mean?

Kao's meaning depends on the language and characters behind it. It is used in Hmong families and also romanizes Chinese names; routes vary, which we note.

How do you pronounce Kao?

It's said KOW /ˈkaʊ/ — one syllable, rhyming with 'now'.

Is Kao a boy or girl name?

Kao is used here as a boy's name.

How popular is Kao?

Kao is extremely rare for boys in the U.S.

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