Kai

Fact-checked by Rebekah Wahlberg

Written by Blake Bakkila

In this article

Kai name meaning and origin

What does Kai mean?

"Sea"

Kai name origin:

Hawaiian

Kai has a variety of meanings and origins in several parts of the world. In Hawaiian, Kai means "sea." It's a nickname for many German and Scandinavian names starting with "K" or "G," like Gerhard (meaning "strong spear") and Klaus (meaning "victory of the people"). It may also derive from the ancient Latin name Caius.

It's typically written with a "k," but it can also be spelled Cai.

Kai didn't appear in the top 1,000 baby names in the United States until 1979. It's been steadily climbing the ranks over the past decades, though, and made it into the top 100 names in 2019.

Sources:

Hanks P., et al. 2016. A Dictionary of First Names. Oxford University Press. https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780198610601.001.0001/acref-9780198610601-e-6642?rskey=f92Q3C&result=3921Opens a new window

U.S. Social Security Administration. Undated. Popular Baby Names. https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/Opens a new window

Popularity over time

Data not available

Kai in pop culture

Kai

Character in season one of The White Lotus, played by Kekoa Kekumano

Kai Chen

Galaxy Blue Ranger in Power Rangers Lost Galaxy

Kai Fragrance

Celebrity-favorite perfume company

Kai Lung

Titular character in the novel series written by Ernest Bramah

General Kai

Character in Kung Fu Panda 3, voiced by J.K. Simmons

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Famous people named Kai

Kai

South Korean singer, model, actor, and dancer from the South Korean-Chinese boy group Exo

Kai

Canadian singer-songwriter, best known for co-writing Flume's Grammy-nominated song "Never Be Like You"

Kai Cenat

American YouTuber and livestreamer

Kai Fagaschinski

German clarinet player and composer

Kai Greene

American personal trainer and professional bodybuilder

Kai Havertz

German professional soccer player who plays for the Premier League club Chelsea and German national team

Kai Lennox

American actor, known for his role as David Carter in the TV mini-series The Girl from Plainville

Kai Ryssdal

American journalist and radio host

Names similar to Kai

like Kai? What about:

Common sibling names

Sisters

Brothers

Baby name lists including Kai

Baby Names A-Z

Baby girl names that start with A

Baby girl names that start with B

Baby girl names that start with C

Baby girl names that start with D

Baby girl names that start with E

Baby boy names that start with A

Baby boy names that start with B

Baby boy names that start with C

Baby boy names that start with D

Baby boy names that start with E

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Kai