Drew vs Makai

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Drew

Boy #543 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"manly, strong, courageous"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English American Scottish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#543
Total SSA Count
550
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

12 High Risk

{:type=>:nickname, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Drew' can be twisted to 'poo'"}

Full profile for Drew →

Makai

Boy #534 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"toward the sea, seaward"

Origin: Hawaiian

Cultural Roots

Hawaiian American Pacific Islander

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#534
Total SSA Count
556
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Kai

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Makai →

Popularity Comparison

Drew Rank #543
Makai Rank #534

Makai is more popular, ranked #534 vs #543 for Drew.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Drew ___

  • Drew James
  • Drew Thomas
  • Drew Michael
  • Drew Alexander
  • Drew William
  • Drew Ryan

Makai ___

  • Makai James
  • Makai Cole
  • Makai Reef
  • Makai Blue
  • Makai Ray
  • Makai Stone

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Drew

Cole Blake Chase Brooke Lane

If you choose Makai

Kai Koa Nalani Leilani Malia

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 Drew or Makai more popular?

Makai is more popular, ranked #534 compared to Drew at #543 in the United States.

What do Drew and Makai mean?

Drew means "manly, strong, courageous" (Greek origin). Makai means "toward the sea, seaward" (Hawaiian origin).

Are Drew and Makai boy or girl names?

Drew is primarily a boy name. Makai is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Makai vs Drew Drew vs Ledger Drew vs Niko Drew vs Jakari Drew vs Titus
← Full profile: Drew ← Full profile: Makai Browse all baby names