Kai vs Ian

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Kai

Boy #76 Most Popular 1 Syllable

"sea"

Origin: Hawaiian

Hawaiian Scandinavian Japanese American Chinese

✓ All Clear

Boy #75 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"God is gracious"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic

Scottish British Irish American

✓ All Clear

Kai Rank #76

Ian Rank #75

Ian is more popular, ranked #75 vs #76 for Kai.

Is Kai or Ian more popular?

Ian is more popular, ranked #75 compared to Kai at #76 in the United States.

What do Kai and Ian mean?

Kai means "sea" (Hawaiian origin). Ian means "God is gracious" (Scottish Gaelic origin).

Are Kai and Ian boy or girl names?

Kai is primarily a boy name. Ian is primarily a boy name.