Griffin 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

Griffin Rank #223
Kai Rank #76

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 vs #223 for Griffin.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Griffin ___

  • Griffin James
  • Griffin Cole
  • Griffin Thomas
  • Griffin Reid
  • Griffin Owen
  • Griffin Rhys

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 Griffin

Declan Brody Piper Wren Finley

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 Griffin or Kai more popular?

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 compared to Griffin at #223 in the United States.

What do Griffin and Kai mean?

Griffin means "strong lord, powerful chief" (Welsh origin). Kai means "sea" (Hawaiian origin).

Are Griffin and Kai boy or girl names?

Griffin is primarily a boy name. Kai is primarily a boy name.

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