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Home › Baby Names Directory › Makaia

Makaia

♀ Girl

Pronounced mah-KY-ah /mɑˈkaɪ.ɑ/Medium

Meaning: Modern coinage joining Ma- to Kaia (Hawaiian 'sea', or a Katherine echo, 'pure'); no single fixed rootLow

In 30 seconds: Take Kaia, the Hawaiian-flavored 'sea' name, add a Ma- in front, and you get Makaia: breezy, tropical, and clearly contemporary.
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Origin LowAmerican, Hawaiian
MeaningModern coinage joining Ma- to Kaia (Hawaiian 'sea', or a Katherine echo, 'pure'); no single fixed root
U.S. rank (2025)#6466 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births18 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 394

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419972025

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

Makaia is built from Kaia, which parents tie either to Hawaiian kai ('sea') or to a clipped Katherine ('pure'). Adding the Ma- syllable is a stylistic choice, not an old word, so think of this as a newly assembled name.

It also nods to Hawaiian Makai, sharing that same coastal sound.

Did you know? The kai piece really does mean 'sea' in Hawaiian, but Makaia as a whole is a modern invention rather than a traditional Island name.
Overall data confidence 50%
U.S. Social Security Administration name files — recent emergence

Variations

MakayaMikaiaMakaiah

Nicknames

Kaia

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Makaia…

Kaia— the -kaia element
Makai— a fellow Maka- name
Amaia— a companion -aia name
Mikayla— another Mi-/Ma- name

Explore names like Makaia

By themeuncertaincoinageamericanhawaiian
By meaningSea / WaterPurity

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Makaia mean?

Makaia joins Ma- to Kaia ('sea' or 'pure'); it has no single fixed meaning, so we flag it.

How do you pronounce Makaia?

It's said mah-KY-ah /mɑˈkaɪ.ɑ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Makaia a boy or girl name?

Makaia is a girl's name.

How popular is Makaia?

Makaia is a rare, recent name in the U.S.

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