Names › Boys' names › K › Kai
Kai
Meaning: 'sea' in Hawaiian; also Frisian and Scandinavian · Origin: several origins · Gender: usually a boy's name
Origin & history
A short name with many roots: 'sea' in Hawaiian, a Frisian and Scandinavian name, and various meanings in Japanese and Chinese.
Famous people named Kai
- Kai Havertz (footballer)
Nicknames
Kai-Kai
Variants & related names
Kye, Kay
Kai name art
A free preview of a printable “Kai” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name Kai mean?
Kai means “'sea' in Hawaiian; also Frisian and Scandinavian”. It comes from several origins.
Is Kai a popular name?
Yes — Kai has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.
What are nicknames for Kai?
Kai-Kai.
What are other forms of Kai?
Kye, Kay.
Similar names
Kingston · Kevin · Kieran · Knox · Kyrie · Kayden
More: names starting with K · all boys' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.