Kai vs Nico

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 →

Nico

Boy #212 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"victory of the people"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

Italian German Spanish Greek American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#212
Total SSA Count
1,678
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ni

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Nico →

Popularity Comparison

Kai Rank #76
Nico Rank #212

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 vs #212 for Nico.

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

Nico ___

  • Nico James
  • Nico Alexander
  • Nico Thomas
  • Nico Rafael
  • Nico Luca
  • Nico Mateo

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Kai

Zara Nova Mila Leo Finn

If you choose Nico

Leo Luca Marco Sofia Mia

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 Nico more popular?

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 compared to Nico at #212 in the United States.

What do Kai and Nico mean?

Kai means "sea" (Hawaiian origin). Nico means "victory of the people" (Greek origin).

Are Kai and Nico boy or girl names?

Kai is primarily a boy name. Nico is primarily a boy name.

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