Charlie vs Kai

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
Full profile for Kai →

Popularity Comparison

Charlie Rank #140
Kai Rank #76

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 vs #140 for Charlie.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Charlie ___

  • Charlie Mae
  • Charlie Rose
  • Charlie Jane
  • Charlie Grace
  • Charlie Ann
  • Charlie Elizabeth

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 Charlie

Wyatt Finn Oliver Stella Millie

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 Charlie or Kai more popular?

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 compared to Charlie at #140 in the United States.

What do Charlie and Kai mean?

Charlie means "free man" (Germanic origin). Kai means "sea" (Hawaiian origin).

Are Charlie and Kai boy or girl names?

Charlie is primarily a girl name. Kai is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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