Barrett vs Kai

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Barrett

Boy #186 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"bear strength, brave as a bear"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English American Germanic

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#186
Total SSA Count
1,984
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Barry, Bear, Rhett

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
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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
Full profile for Kai →

Popularity Comparison

Barrett Rank #186
Kai Rank #76

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 vs #186 for Barrett.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Barrett ___

  • Barrett James
  • Barrett Lee
  • Barrett Cole
  • Barrett Scott
  • Barrett Reid
  • Barrett Gray

Kai ___

  • Kai James
  • Kai Alexander
  • Kai Michael
  • Kai Robert
  • Kai William
  • Kai Thomas

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Barrett

Everett Sloane Piper Colton Greer

If you choose Kai

Zara Nova Mila Leo Finn

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Barrett or Kai more popular?

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 compared to Barrett at #186 in the United States.

What do Barrett and Kai mean?

Barrett means "bear strength, brave as a bear" (Germanic origin). Kai means "sea" (Hawaiian origin).

Are Barrett and Kai boy or girl names?

Barrett is primarily a boy name. Kai is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Barrett ← Full profile: Kai Browse all baby names