Khai

♂ Boy

Pronounced KY /kaɪ/High

Meaning: Crown; royalty; from Vietnamese khai (to open, to begin) or Arabic kha'i (letter name); also associated with the child of model Bella Hadid and Zayn MalikMedium

In 30 seconds: A name of Vietnamese and Arabic origin meaning 'to open' or 'begin' (Vietnamese) or related to the Arabic letter khaa. Known in the U.S. primarily as the name of Bella Hadid and Zayn Malik's daughter Khai.

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumVietnamese, Arabic

MeaningCrown; royalty; from Vietnamese khai (to open, to begin) or Arabic kha'i (letter name); also associated with the child of model Bella Hadid and Zayn Malik

U.S. rank (2024)#947 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births240 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,006

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

Khai may derive from Vietnamese where it means 'to open, to begin, to enlighten' or from Arabic contexts related to the letter khaa. As a given name it is used across Vietnamese and Arabic communities and has been introduced to Western audiences through celebrity use.

Khai appeared in U.S. birth data after 2020 and ranked #947 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? Khai Hadid Malik, daughter of supermodel Bella Hadid and singer Zayn Malik, was born in 2020 — the couple's choice of this unusual name immediately sparked interest, with Khai entering U.S. birth records shortly afterward.

Overall data confidence 65%

U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

KaiKhy

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

★Khai Hadid Malik (2020–present)
Daughter of model Gigi Hadid and singer Zayn Malik, born in 2020. Her parents' choice of the name brought it to international attention.

If you like Khai…

Kai— one-syllable name sharing the same sound with Hawaiian/Japanese roots

Zion— one-syllable Hebrew place-name used as a given name in the same celebrity tradition

Zaire— one-syllable place-name used as a given name in similar communities

Zayn— the same cultural space as Khai's father Zayn Malik

Explore names like Khai

By themearabic one-syllable vietnamese uncertain-origin celebrity-name

By meaningRoyal / Noble

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Khai mean?

Khai means 'to open' or 'to begin' in Vietnamese, or is related to Arabic contexts. It became widely known as the name of Bella Hadid and Zayn Malik's daughter.

How do you pronounce Khai?

It's said KY — one syllable, rhyming with 'sky.'

Is Khai a boy or girl name?

Khai appears in boys' data in U.S. charts; Bella Hadid's daughter Khai uses it as a girls' name.

How popular is Khai?

Khai ranked #947 for U.S. boys in 2024.