Kai vs Rory

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Rory

Boy #226 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"red king, famous ruler"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish Scottish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#226
Total SSA Count
1,594
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Rory →

Popularity Comparison

Kai Rank #76
Rory Rank #226

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 vs #226 for Rory.

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

Rory ___

  • Rory James
  • Rory Patrick
  • Rory Thomas
  • Rory Owen
  • Rory Finn
  • Rory Declan

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Kai

Zara Nova Mila Leo Finn

If you choose Rory

Finn Declan Maeve Siobhan Kieran

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 Rory more popular?

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 compared to Rory at #226 in the United States.

What do Kai and Rory mean?

Kai means "sea" (Hawaiian origin). Rory means "red king, famous ruler" (Irish Gaelic origin).

Are Kai and Rory boy or girl names?

Kai is primarily a boy name. Rory is primarily a boy name.

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