Dara vs Kai

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Dara

Girl #1,029 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"oak tree, oak grove"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish Jewish Persian American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,029
Total SSA Count
244
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Dare

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

Dara Rank #1,029
Kai Rank #76

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 vs #1029 for Dara.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Dara ___

  • Dara Mae
  • Dara Rose
  • Dara Jane
  • Dara Lynn
  • Dara Claire
  • Dara Louise

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 Dara

Fiona Niamh Ciaran Orla Declan

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 Dara or Kai more popular?

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 compared to Dara at #1029 in the United States.

What do Dara and Kai mean?

Dara means "oak tree, oak grove" (Irish Gaelic origin). Kai means "sea" (Hawaiian origin).

Are Dara and Kai boy or girl names?

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

More Comparisons

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