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Kai vs Carter

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Kai

Boy #76 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"sea"

Origin: Hawaiian

Cultural Roots

Hawaiian Scandinavian Japanese American Chinese

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#76
Total SSA Count
4,276
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

Carter

Boy #45 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"One who transports goods by cart; cart driver"

Origin: English

Cultural Roots

English American Scottish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#45
Total SSA Count
6,267
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

Popularity Comparison

Kai Rank #76
Carter Rank #45

Carter is more popular, ranked #45 vs #76 for Kai.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kai or Carter more popular?

Carter is more popular, ranked #45 compared to Kai at #76 in the United States.

What do Kai and Carter mean?

Kai means "sea" (Hawaiian origin). Carter means "One who transports goods by cart; cart driver" (English origin).

Are Kai and Carter boy or girl names?

Kai is primarily a boy name. Carter is primarily a boy name.

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