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Name Origin

Kai is a unisex given name with origins in multiple cultures. It has Hawaiian roots meaning 'sea' or 'ocean', reflecting the islands' strong connection to the water. In Japanese, Kai can mean 'shell', 'ocean', or 'forgiveness'. In Scandinavian countries, Kai is a short form of names like Kaia and Kaj, often associated with strength and resilience.

unisexhawaiianjapanesescandinaviannatureseaoceanshellforgivenessstrengthresilience

Famous People

Kai Ryssdal (1963-)

Journalist

  • Host of Marketplace on American Public Media
  • Award-winning journalist for his coverage of business and economics

Kai Havertz (1999-)

Professional footballer

  • Plays as an attacking midfielder for Chelsea FC and the German national team
  • Won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea in 2021

Kai Lenny (1992-)

Professional big wave surfer and stand-up paddleboarder

  • Multiple world champion in various water sports disciplines
  • Known for pushing the boundaries of big wave surfing