Kai: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced KY · 1 syllable
Kai means “sea (Hawaiian); restoration (Japanese)”, from Polynesian and Japanese.
Taken into regular use in the 1990s, with earlier popularity peaks in Scandinavia and Germany. The medieval Danish Kaj is possibly of Roman origin, Latinized as Caius, like the rare medieval English male given name Kay. The German Kai may also derive from a West Frisian pet form of Gerard, Cornelius, Nicholas, or Kampe "warrior". In the U.S. Kai has also been explained as Hawaiian kai (“sea”).
- Meaning
- sea (Hawaiian); restoration (Japanese)
- Origin
- Polynesian, Japanese
- Pronunciation
- KY
- US rank (2025)
- #93
- US babies a year
- about 5,011 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 2020
- Style
- Rising
How popular is Kai?
Kai was the #93 name in the US in 2025, given to 4,002 babies. It’s rising: up 95% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 2020.
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #93 |
| England & Wales | #103 |
| Scotland | #58 |
| Northern Ireland | #64 |
| Ireland | #36 |
| France | #828 |
| Norway | #274 |
| Canada | #59 |
| Australia | #20 |
How old are people named Kai?
Half of US adults named Kai are older than 23; most are between 18 and 51. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Sibling names for Kai
Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Kai have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.
Names like Kai
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
On these lists
Questions about Kai
What does the name Kai mean?
Kai means “sea (Hawaiian); restoration (Japanese)”. It comes from Polynesian and Japanese.
How do you pronounce Kai?
Kai is pronounced KY.
How popular is the name Kai?
Kai was the #93 name in the US in 2025, given to 4,002 babies. It’s rising: up 95% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 2020.
How old are people named Kai?
Half of US adults named Kai are older than 23. Most are between 18 and 51.