"earth"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Kaia
Does Kaia flow with your last name?
Short, striking, and rooted in the earth
Greek
Scandinavian
Hawaiian
American
Modern
Bold
Elegant
Minimalist
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Names Like Kaia
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Kaia
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"pure"
Origin: Old Norse
Language: Norse
"the sea"
Origin: Hawaiian
Language: Hawaiian
Browse names with similar meanings:
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The Story of Kaia
Kaia has multiple origins: from the Greek Gaia (the earth goddess), from the Norse Katarina (pure), and as a Hawaiian term for the sea. In Greek mythology, Gaia was the primordial goddess of the Earth, the mother of all life. The modern spelling Kaia strips the name to its bare, striking essentials.
Kaia exploded in popularity after supermodel Kaia Gerber (daughter of Cindy Crawford) debuted on the fashion scene around 2017-2018. The name immediately jumped into the US Top 200 and has continued climbing, appealing to parents who want something short, international, and sleek.
In Scandinavian countries, Kaia is a well-established diminutive of Katarina. In Greek mythology, Gaia represents the foundational earth mother. The similar Hawaiian word kai means sea or ocean, giving the name natural resonance.
Historical Record
Kaia first appeared in US Social Security records in 1955.
Over 19,280 babies have been named Kaia in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kaia is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #180 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Kaia Gerber appeared on the cover of Vogue at just 17
- Gaia is also the name of a European space observatory satellite
- Kaia ranks in the Top 100 in Norway, where it has been used for generations
Kaia in Other Languages
Greek
Gaia
Swedish
Kaja
Hawaiian
Kai
Japanese
Kaia
Norwegian
Kaia
Popularity Over Time
#180
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kaia
K
Kaia Gerber
Other
2001
American supermodel and actress, daughter of Cindy Crawford
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Compare Kaia with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #180
- Total SSA Count
- 1,675
- Cultural Origins
- Greek Scandinavian Hawaiian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Kay
Kai
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kaia
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Kaia is also used as a boy name, ranked #16814.
View Kaia as a boy name →Similar Names
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Compare Kaia with...
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Latin Valerius origin
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Old English halh origin
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Italian origin
"mine (term of endearment)"
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Esther
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Hebrew via Persian origin
"myrtle"
#131 in US
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Proto-Celtic origin
"intoxicating one, mead-like"
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"high chief, heavenly chief"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kaia
What does the name Kaia mean?
"earth" (from Greek). "pure" (from Old Norse). "the sea" (from Hawaiian). Kaia has multiple origins: from the Greek Gaia (the earth goddess), from the Norse Katarina (pure), and as a Hawaiian term for the sea. In Greek mythology, Gaia was the primordial goddess of the Earth, the mother of all life. The modern spelling Kaia strips the name to its bare, striking essentials.
What is the origin of the name Kaia?
Kaia has Greek, Old Norse, Hawaiian, Scandinavian, and American origins. In Greek, it means "earth". In Old Norse, it means "pure". In Hawaiian, it means "the sea".
Is Kaia a boy or girl name?
Kaia is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #180. As a boy name, it is ranked #16814. Kaia is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Kaia?
Kaia is currently ranked #180 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kaia?
Common nicknames for Kaia include Kay and Kai.
What are good middle names for Kaia?
Popular middle name pairings include Kaia Rose, Kaia Jane, Kaia Marie, Kaia Grace, Kaia Lee, and Kaia Simone.
What are good sibling names for Kaia?
Names that pair well with Kaia as siblings include Zara, Lena, Milo, Leo, Isla, and Finn.
How many syllables does Kaia have?
Kaia has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kaia a common or rare name?
Kaia is a popular name, ranked #180 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Kaia?
About the Name Kaia
Kaia is a girl name with Greek, Scandinavian, Hawaiian, and American origins . The name means "earth" in Greek .
Is Kaia a boy or girl name? Kaia is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #180 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #16,814. Kaia is more commonly used as a girl name.
Kaia is currently ranked #180 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Kaia has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Kaia include Kay and Kai. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kaia include Kailani, Kaitlyn, Kaiya, Kailany, Kairi . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Recommended for Parents
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis