Kai vs Luke

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 →

Luke

Boy #34 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"man from Lucania"

Origin: Greek Loukas referring to Lucania region of Italy

Cultural Roots

Greek English Latin American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#34
Total SSA Count
7,039
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Luke →

Popularity Comparison

Kai Rank #76
Luke Rank #34

Luke is more popular, ranked #34 vs #76 for Kai.

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

Luke ___

  • Luke James
  • Luke Alexander
  • Luke Thomas
  • Luke William
  • Luke Edward
  • Luke Henry

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Kai

Zara Nova Mila Leo Finn

If you choose Luke

Leia Han Owen Mark Matthew

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 Luke more popular?

Luke is more popular, ranked #34 compared to Kai at #76 in the United States.

What do Kai and Luke mean?

Kai means "sea" (Hawaiian origin). Luke means "man from Lucania" (Greek Loukas referring to Lucania region of Italy origin).

Are Kai and Luke boy or girl names?

Kai is primarily a boy name. Luke is primarily a boy name.

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