Kai vs Derek

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Kai

Boy #76 Most Popular 1 Syllable

"sea"

Origin: Hawaiian

Hawaiian Scandinavian Japanese American Chinese

✓ All Clear

Boy #258 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"ruler of the people"

Origin: Germanic

English American Dutch German

✓ All Clear

Kai Rank #76

Derek Rank #258

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 vs #258 for Derek.

Is Kai or Derek more popular?

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 compared to Derek at #258 in the United States.

What do Kai and Derek mean?

Kai means "sea" (Hawaiian origin). Derek means "ruler of the people" (Germanic origin).

Are Kai and Derek boy or girl names?

Kai is primarily a boy name. Derek is primarily a boy name.