"Hawaiian deity, sacred power"
Origin: Hawaiian
Language: English
Kaili
Does Kaili flow with your last name?
A Hawaiian melody with timeless feminine charm
Hawaiian
English
American
Earthy
Gentle
Modern
Playful
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Kaili
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Kaili
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"slender, fair maiden"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Kaili
See all →What the Kaili report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Kaili the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Kaili
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Kaili head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Kaili actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Kaili
Kaili is a Hawaiian name derived from the Hawaiian word for the deity Kāili, one of the major gods in Hawaiian mythology associated with featherwork and sacred objects. The name also evokes the beauty of the Hawaiian islands and can be seen as a variant spelling of Kaylee, which has Irish Gaelic roots meaning "slender" or "fair." Kaili occupies a unique space between Hawaiian tradition and modern American naming trends.
Kaili has grown alongside the broader trend of Hawaiian-influenced names in the United States, as interest in Hawaiian culture has expanded beyond the islands. The name is also boosted by the general popularity of Kaylee and its many variant spellings.
In Hawaiian culture, Kāili was a significant deity associated with chiefly power and featherwork regalia. As a given name, Kaili honors Hawaiian heritage while remaining accessible to non-Hawaiian families who appreciate its melodic sound.
Historical Record
Kaili first appeared in US Social Security records in 1977.
Over 2,872 babies have been named Kaili in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kaili is past its peak , currently ranked #3,840 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Hawaiian deity Kāili was associated with some of the most sacred objects in ancient Hawaiian culture
- Hawaii has influenced American baby naming more than any other US state
Kaili in Other Languages
Spanish
Kailí
Hawaiian
Kāili
Japanese
カイリ
Popularity Over Time
#3,840
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2003
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kaili
K
Kaili Vernoff
Actor
1976
American actress known for her role in Grey's Anatomy
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Candy
Girl
"pure white (as Candace)"
#3,752
Desi
Girl
"of the homeland"
#3,974
Izzabella
Girl
"pledged to God, God is my oath"
#3,730
Janelly
Girl
"beautiful, graceful (via -elle suffix)"
#3,656
Amaiya
Girl
"night rain"
#3,664
Compare Kaili with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,840
- Total SSA Count
- 39
- Cultural Origins
- Hawaiian English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Kai
Lee
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Hawaiian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kaili
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Kaili fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Kaili is also used as a boy name, ranked #19562.
View Kaili as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Kaili →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Kaili with...
Same Origin Names (Hawaiian)
See all Hawaiian names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Kaili
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Kaili and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Kaili sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Candy
Girl
Ethiopian/Nubian origin
"pure white (as Candace)"
#3,752 in US
Desi
Girl
Sanskrit origin
"of the homeland"
#3,974 in US
Izzabella
Girl
Hebrew origin
"pledged to God, God is my oath"
#3,730 in US
Janelly
Girl
French origin
"beautiful, graceful (via -elle suffix)"
#3,656 in US
Amaiya
Girl
Japanese origin
"night rain"
#3,664 in US
Fable
Girl
Latin fari origin
"spoken word, narrative"
#3,747 in US
Amariyah
Girl
Hebrew origin
"promised by God"
#3,861 in US
Rachael
Girl
Hebrew (symbolic) origin
"gentle one"
#3,941 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Kaili's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kaili
What does the name Kaili mean?
"Hawaiian deity, sacred power" (from Hawaiian). "slender, fair maiden" (from Irish Gaelic). Kaili is a Hawaiian name derived from the Hawaiian word for the deity Kāili, one of the major gods in Hawaiian mythology associated with featherwork and sacred objects. The name also evokes the beauty of the Hawaiian islands and can be seen as a variant spelling of Kaylee, which has Irish Gaelic roots meaning "slender" or "fair." Kaili occupies a unique space between Hawaiian tradition and modern American naming trends.
What is the origin of the name Kaili?
Kaili has Hawaiian, Irish Gaelic, English, and American origins. In Hawaiian, it means "Hawaiian deity, sacred power". In Irish Gaelic, it means "slender, fair maiden".
Is Kaili a boy or girl name?
Kaili is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3840. As a boy name, it is ranked #19562. Kaili is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Kaili?
Kaili is currently ranked #3840 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kaili?
Common nicknames for Kaili include Kai and Lee.
What are good middle names for Kaili?
Popular middle name pairings include Kaili Rose, Kaili Mae, Kaili Ann, Kaili Grace, and Kaili Joy.
What are good sibling names for Kaili?
Names that pair well with Kaili as siblings include Malia, Lana, Kai, Koa, Leilani, and Nolan.
How many syllables does Kaili have?
Kaili has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kaili a common or rare name?
Kaili is an uncommon name, ranked #3840 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Kaili?
About the Name Kaili
Kaili is a girl name with Hawaiian, English, and American origins . The name means "Hawaiian deity, sacred power" in Hawaiian .
Is Kaili a boy or girl name? Kaili is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,840 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,562. Kaili is more commonly used as a girl name.
Kaili is currently ranked #3,840 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Kaili has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Kaili include Kai and Lee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kaili include Kailani, Kailany, Kailey, Kailyn, Kaila . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Hawaiian Names
Browse all names with this origin
K
Names Starting with K
More girl names like Kaili
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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