Kai vs Rylan

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 →

Rylan

Boy #372 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"land where rye grows"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#372
Total SSA Count
882
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Ry, Rye

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Rylan →

Popularity Comparison

Kai Rank #76
Rylan Rank #372

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 vs #372 for Rylan.

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

Rylan ___

  • Rylan James
  • Rylan Cole
  • Rylan Scott
  • Rylan Thomas
  • Rylan Lee
  • Rylan Grant

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Kai

Zara Nova Mila Leo Finn

If you choose Rylan

Caden Logan Hayden Paisley Peyton

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 Rylan more popular?

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 compared to Rylan at #372 in the United States.

What do Kai and Rylan mean?

Kai means "sea" (Hawaiian origin). Rylan means "land where rye grows" (Old English origin).

Are Kai and Rylan boy or girl names?

Kai is primarily a boy name. Rylan is primarily a boy name.

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