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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kitai

Kitai

♂ Boy

Pronounced kih-TY /kɪˈtaɪ/Medium

Meaning: A modern name echoing the Japanese kitai, 'hope, expectation'; also a film character name; no single fixed traditional given-name use; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Hope; expectation: Kitai echoes the Japanese 'hope, expectation'. Crisp, modern, and warm (said 'kih-TY').
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Origin LowAmerican, Japanese
MeaningA modern name echoing the Japanese kitai, 'hope, expectation'; also a film character name; no single fixed traditional given-name use; routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#6015 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births15 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2014
Total births (all-time)≈ 282

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201420132025

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

Kitai is a modern name echoing the Japanese kitai, 'hope, expectation, anticipation' — and it is the name of the young hero Kitai Raige in the film After Earth (routes layered, which we note). It has little traditional given-name history; the crisp sound carries it (said 'kih-TY'; nickname Kit).

It registers thinly in records. Rare, hope-and-expectation in echo, and crisp.

Did you know? Kitai brushes the Japanese kitai, 'hope, expectation' — and is the name of the young hero in the film After Earth — a crisp, modern name (which we flag for its layered routes; said 'kih-TY').
Overall data confidence 42%
References — Kitai — routes layered; film bearer

Variations

KitaenKytai

Nicknames

Kit

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kitai…

Kai— a sound-neighbor Ka-/Ki- boys' name
Ronin— a fellow Japanese-style boys' name
Kenzo— a companion Japanese boys' name
Ryo— another Japanese boys' name

Explore names like Kitai

By themeuncertaincoinageamericanjapanese
By meaningHopeGift / Blessing

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Kitai mean?

Kitai echoes the Japanese kitai, 'hope, expectation'; it has little traditional given-name history, which we flag.

How do you pronounce Kitai?

It's said kih-TY /kɪˈtaɪ/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Kitai a boy or girl name?

Kitai is a boy's name.

How popular is Kitai?

Kitai is a very rare, recent name in the U.S.

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