Macai

♂ Boy

Pronounced mə-KY /məˈkaɪ/Medium

Meaning: A spelling of Makai — from Hawaiian, 'toward the sea, by the ocean'; also echoes the Scottish McKay, 'son of Aodh (fire)'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Toward the sea: Macai spells Makai — 'toward the sea'. Soft, modern, and warm (said 'mə-KY').

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Origin LowHawaiian, Scottish

MeaningA spelling of Makai — from Hawaiian, 'toward the sea, by the ocean'; also echoes the Scottish McKay, 'son of Aodh (fire)'; routes layered

U.S. rank (2024)#6049 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births15 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 236

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

Macai is a spelling of Makai — from Hawaiian makai, 'toward the sea, on the ocean side' (the opposite of mauka, 'toward the mountains') — and it also echoes the Scottish surname McKay, 'son of Aodh', the god of fire (routes layered, which we note). A soft, modern name (said 'mə-KY'; nickname Mac).

In the U.S. it appears across communities. Rare in this spelling, toward-the-sea at the (likely) root, and modern.

Did you know? Makai means 'toward the sea, by the ocean' in Hawaiian — and Macai also echoes the Scottish McKay, 'son of Aodh (fire)' — a soft, modern coinage (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'mə-KY').

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Makai — routes layered

Variations

MakaiMakariMckai

Nicknames

Mac

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If you like Macai…

Makai— the common spelling

Makari— a kin Ma- boys' name

Kai— a sound-neighbor 'sea' boys' name

Mckay— the Scottish surname it echoes

Explore names like Macai

By themeuncertain scottish hawaiian

By meaningSea / Water Fire

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Macai mean?

Macai spells Makai — Hawaiian 'toward the sea'; it also echoes the Scottish McKay. The routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Macai?

It's said mə-KY /məˈkaɪ/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Macai a boy or girl name?

Macai is a boy's name.

How popular is Macai?

Macai is a rare name in the U.S.