Name meaning
Kai Name Meaning - Sea (Hawaiian) (Hawaiian)
- Meaning
- Sea (Hawaiian); forgiveness (Japanese); keeper of the keys (Welsh)
- Origin
- Hawaiian/Japanese/Welsh
- Gender
- Unisex
- Pronunciation
- KA-I
Kai means "Sea (Hawaiian); forgiveness (Japanese); keeper of the keys (Welsh)" (Hawaiian/Japanese/Welsh). Kai is a unisex name from Hawaiian/Japanese/Welsh meaning "Sea (Hawaiian)." Kai is beautifully multicultural: in Hawaiian it means sea or ocean; in Japanese (海) it means sea or ocean as well; in Welsh, Kai is a form of Caius.
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Meaning and Linguistic Breakdown
Kai is a unisex name from Hawaiian/Japanese/Welsh meaning "Sea (Hawaiian)." Kai is beautifully multicultural: in Hawaiian it means sea or ocean; in Japanese (海) it means sea or ocean as well; in Welsh, Kai is a form of Caius.
Origin and Historical Usage
Kai is beautifully multicultural: in Hawaiian it means sea or ocean; in Japanese (海) it means sea or ocean as well; in Welsh, Kai is a form of Caius. The Ninjago character Kai and widespread Hawaiian usage have made this one of the most globally used short names. Parents who choose Kai often cite sound and family heritage as much as dictionary meaning.
Pronunciation Guide
- Phonetic
- KA-I
- Syllables
- 1
Geographic and Cultural Usage
Outside Hawaiian countries, Kai is often chosen for diaspora identity or because the meaning "Sea (Hawaiian)" fits a naming theme. Pronunciation follows local accent rules.
Popularity
Ranked #14 in our dataset. Compare with your country's official baby-name tables before deciding on rarity.
Notable People Named Kai
- KKai (Ninjago)
- KKai Anderson (AHS)
- KKai from Hawaii Five-O
- KKai Havertz
Variants and Related Names
Spelling variants
- Cai — alternate form of Kai
- Kay — alternate form of Kai
- Kye — alternate form of Kai
Frequently Asked Questions about Kai
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Sibling Name Ideas
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