Kai (1)
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Key: Meaning/History Usage Pronunciation Famous Bearer Personal Impression Other


Kai could also be derived from Old High German "kamph" meaning "fight". A strong name for somebody who never gives up. In northern Germany it is also the nickname of Nikolaus or Katharina.
-- Evaria  8/9/2005
Kai comes from the name Halkai. Kai means a place of sanctory or it can mean chicken/food (in Greek). It has a lot of different meanings.
-- kaig  1/10/2006
I have seen this name used as a nickname for Malachi. Kai is a great name for a boy.
-- Anonymous User  9/27/2006
•In Hawaiian Kai means "Ocean" or "Sea"
•In Navajo Indian Kai means "Willow tree"
•In Scandinavian and Welsh Kai means "Keeper of the keys"
•In Greek Kaia means "Earth"
•In Norwegian Kaia means “Blessed, Pure, Holy”
•In South African Kai means "Beautiful"
•In Persian Kai means "Ruler" or "King"
•and in Maori, the native polynesian people of New Zealand, Kai means "Food" (hmm, yummy!)
•Caius likely derives from the Etruscan word "cai" meaning "glad".
•In Welsh Mythology Kay was one of the knights of the Round Table in Arthurian Legend.
-- Anonymous User  5/21/2007
It originated in Northern Europe and means "Warrior" or "Fighter". Someone that never gives up.
-- Anonymous User  7/15/2008
As one who has been the bearer of this name, as my first name, I have found over fifty meanings from around the world. The list I had compiled has been lost in the shuffle, so I will submit what I can remember. Beginning with "my" ancestry I have found that the meaning in German is the Sea, and in Danish is Earth (like the Greek 'gaia') and in Scottish is Fire. In other cultures, my travels have taught me that in Native American it means Willow Tree, Stone, and Friend (depending on the tribe) and in Welsh it means Keeper of the Keys, in Hawaiian it means Ocean, and in Japanese it means Forgiveness. This is the extent of my memory at present, but I do know that when I had the list, there were so many more and all with different meanings. With that said, it's not easy to say what it really means, but I try to make it mean only the best things as I am an American and not terribly tied to "my" ancestors. I am living my life so that Kai will mean infinity and peace and wholeness, in American anyways!
-- quitepossibly  3/15/2009
Just Googling around, I cannot find corroboration for this possible etymology, BUT I recall seeing the German name linked to the word "Kaiser," which made some sense to me. "Cesar" in French and Spanish might be its equivalents.
-- gbcallahan  7/4/2009
In a name book I own, I read that this name means "the fairer sex." I forget the language of origin though.
-- Dessa  7/21/2010
I would also add that in German and Danish MY name means king. Deriving from kaiser.
And in Japanese it's a female name meaning power also possibly sea.
(カイ) if you split the characters you get power カ y イ. Or cart if you take away イ.
-- kai jesson  11/19/2010
Kai/Ky is a common nickname in the U.S. for the popular girls' name Kylie and the name Skyler.
-- KathosAnnora  3/26/2011
I see this name is becoming very popular in the UK, US, Canada and Australia but Kai will never have the same popularity in New Zealand. Even though most of the country can't speak Maori, if there's one Maori word they know, it's Kai, meaning food. It would be a very strange name for someone here.
-- Anonymous User  2/1/2013
My son's name is Kai Wei. It is Mandarin, given to him by his birthmother in Taiwan. We were told it means to remain victorious. I think it was a great legacy/wish to leave with him. He is 18 now and goes by Kai (his decision).
-- twointaiwan  9/27/2015

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