N
NamyLab

Kai

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Sea or Restoration"

Kai is a cross-cultural short name with distinct meanings in different languages, including sea-related senses in some traditions.

Themes:multioriginshortnature
NatureNaturalModernContemporaryUnisexGender-neutral

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of Three • Parenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Kai

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#76Top 100

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#76

Kai was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-15

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Kai Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Kai.

10 ideas
Kai-Kai
Nickname
kie
Nickname
ky
Nickname
ko
Nickname
ka
Nickname
KA
Nickname
kaiie
Nickname
kaiy
Nickname
kaio
Nickname
kkie
Nickname

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uh-LEK-sis

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Avery

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Baby Name Lists That Include Kai

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Kai, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

29 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Kai mean?
Kai means "Sea or Restoration". Kai is a cross-cultural short name with distinct meanings in different languages, including sea-related senses in some t
What is the origin of Kai?
Kai is of Hawaiian origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Kai?
According to the latest SSA data, Kai is currently ranked #76 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Kai a boy name?
Kai is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Kai?
Popular nicknames for Kai include Kai-Kai, kie, ky, ko, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Kai?
There are many names similar to Kai in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginHawaiian, Japanese, Scandinavian
Syllables1
Length3 letters
US Rank#76
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withK

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Kai

Kai has Hawaiian roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Hawaiian baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Kai appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Names That Mean Ocean for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Water for Boys and Girls and Scandinavian Baby Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Kai pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Kai beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.