Kai
A unisex name of Hawaiian origin, meaning sea.
Babies a year
672
England and Wales, 2025
Rarity
Common
among names in use
US popularity
#93
down from #76
UK popularity
#78
672 babies · down from #72
How Kai has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #145 |
| 2016 | #145 |
| 2017 | #126 |
| 2018 | #113 |
| 2019 | #100 |
| 2020 | #93 |
| 2021 | #70 |
| 2022 | #59 |
| 2023 | #61 |
| 2024 | #76 |
| 2025 | #93 |
Kai by the numbers
In 2025, 672 babies in England and Wales were named Kai. In the US, 3,457 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
It is used at about the same rate on both sides of the Atlantic.
Its best year in America so far is the most recent one on record, which means it was still climbing when the records end.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Kai. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Sounds like Kai
Names that are said the same way as Kai, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
Other names that mean the sea
Like Kai, each of these has the sea in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Dylanson of the sea10,158 in the US (2017)
- Mariaof the sea; a form of Mary522 in England and Wales (2025)
- Marystar of the sea; beloved2,381 in the US (2017)
- Morgansea-born; great and bright2,273 in the US (2017)
- Mariahof the sea; a form of Maria1,604 in the US (2017)
- Halliefrom the hall; sea-woman1,246 in England and Wales (2025)