Kai vs Tyler

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 →

Tyler

Boy #191 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"tile maker, brick layer"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

American English Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#191
Total SSA Count
1,908
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ty

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Tyler →

Popularity Comparison

Kai Rank #76
Tyler Rank #191

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 vs #191 for Tyler.

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

Tyler ___

  • Tyler James
  • Tyler Alexander
  • Tyler John
  • Tyler Michael
  • Tyler Blake
  • Tyler Lee

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Kai

Zara Nova Mila Leo Finn

If you choose Tyler

Logan Mason Carter Emma Madison

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 Tyler more popular?

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 compared to Tyler at #191 in the United States.

What do Kai and Tyler mean?

Kai means "sea" (Hawaiian origin). Tyler means "tile maker, brick layer" (Old English origin).

Are Kai and Tyler boy or girl names?

Kai is primarily a boy name. Tyler is primarily a boy name.

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