Kai vs Karen

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

Kai Rank #76
Karen Rank #1,261

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 vs #1261 for Karen.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Kai ___

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

Karen ___

  • Karen Lynn
  • Karen Ann
  • Karen Marie
  • Karen Sue
  • Karen Louise
  • Karen Beth

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Kai

Zara Nova Mila Leo Finn

If you choose Karen

Deborah Linda Susan Gary David

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 Kai or Karen more popular?

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 compared to Karen at #1261 in the United States.

What do Kai and Karen mean?

Kai means "sea" (Hawaiian origin). Karen means "pure, chaste" (Greek via Danish origin).

Are Kai and Karen boy or girl names?

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

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