Kawai

♂ Boy

Pronounced kah-WY /kɑːˈwaɪ/Medium

Meaning: From Hawaiian, ka wai, 'the water' — often part of place and family names (as in Kawaiahao). Distinct from the Japanese kawaii ('cute'), which we note. A gentle nature name, noted respectfully.Low

In 30 seconds: A gentle Hawaiian name: Kawai means 'the water' (said 'kah-WY'). Note: distinct from Japanese 'kawaii.'

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Origin LowHawaiian

MeaningFrom Hawaiian, ka wai, 'the water' — often part of place and family names (as in Kawaiahao). Distinct from the Japanese kawaii ('cute'), which we note. A gentle nature name, noted respectfully.

U.S. rank (2023)#7100 ↗ Rising

2023 U.S. births12 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2020

Total births (all-time)≈ 100

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

Kawai comes from Hawaiian ka wai, 'the water,' seen in names like Kawaiahao. It reads as a gentle nature name, and we note it is not the Japanese kawaii ('cute'). Rare in the U.S. (said 'kah-WY').

It appears rarely, mostly in Hawaiian families. Rare, gentle, and nature-rooted.

Did you know? Kawai is Hawaiian for 'the water' (ka wai) — a soft nature name found in Hawaiian place and family names — and is distinct from the Japanese kawaii, 'cute,' which we note (said 'kah-WY').

Overall data confidence 44%

References — Kawai — Hawaiian ka wai, 'the water'; not Japanese kawaii

Variations

KawaiiKawaieCawai

Nicknames

KaiWai

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kawai…

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Koa— a like Hawaiian name

Kai— the 'sea' name it echoes

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kawai mean?

Kawai is Hawaiian for 'the water' (ka wai); it is distinct from the Japanese kawaii ('cute'), which we note.

How do you pronounce Kawai?

It's said kah-WY /kɑːˈwaɪ/ — two syllables, stress on the last.

Is Kawai a boy or girl name?

Here Kawai is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Kawai?

Kawai is an extremely rare name in the U.S.