Kai
Peaked at #59 nationally in 2022, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1926, Kai has been recorded 11% of the time for girls and 89% of the time for boys.
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Kai — Girls (United States)
StablePeak rank
#769
in 2021
Current rank
#1133
in 2024
Years tracked
69
1953–2024
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1953, Kai reached its peak popularity for girls in 2021, ranking #769 nationally with 371 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #989 (2014) to #1133 (2024) — a 13% drop.
As of 2024, Kai ranks #1133 nationally for girls, with 213 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #1,133 | 213 |
| 2023 | #940 | 282 |
| 2022 | #791 | 358 |
| 2021 | #769 | 371 |
| 2020 | #792 | 344 |
| 2019 | #809 | 338 |
| 2018 | #854 | 318 |
| 2017 | #809 | 338 |
Kai — Boys (United States)
RisingPeak rank
#59
in 2022
Current rank
#76
in 2024
Years tracked
79
1926–2024
Trend
Rising
Tracked since 1926, Kai reached its peak popularity for boys in 2022, ranking #59 nationally with 5,366 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has climbed from #177 (2014) to #76 (2024) — a 57% improvement.
As of 2024, Kai ranks #76 nationally for boys, with 4,276 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #76 | 4,276 |
| 2023 | #61 | 4,967 |
| 2022 | #59 | 5,366 |
| 2021 | #70 | 4,638 |
| 2020 | #93 | 3,863 |
| 2019 | #100 | 3,741 |
| 2018 | #112 | 3,462 |
| 2017 | #126 | 3,155 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Kai most popular?
Kai was most popular in 2022, when it ranked #59 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Kai becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently stable; for boys, it's currently rising, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Kai?
At least 74,652 babies have been recorded with the name Kai in the US since 1926, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Kai? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.