"joy, happiness"
Origin: Vietnamese
Language: Vietnamese
Khai
Does Khai flow with your last name?
A joyful single-syllable name with celebrity cachet
Vietnamese
Thai
Southeast Asian
Modern
Minimalist
Bold
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"victory, triumph"
Origin: Thai
Language: Thai
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The Story of Khai
Khai is a Vietnamese and Thai name meaning joy or happiness. As a unisex name, it carries the light, bright energy of its meaning. In recent years it has gained attention in Western countries partly through Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik naming their daughter Khai in 2020, bringing global visibility to this beautiful Southeast Asian name.
Khai entered Western baby name consciousness in 2020 when supermodel Gigi Hadid and singer Zayn Malik named their daughter Khai. The name shot up in popularity charts across the US, UK, and Australia following this celebrity choice.
In Vietnamese culture, single-syllable names are considered elegant and powerful. Khai means victory or triumph in some Vietnamese dialects, while also meaning joy in Thai contexts — a dual meaning of happiness and success.
Historical Record
Khai first appeared in US Social Security records in 1997.
Over 453 babies have been named Khai in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Khai is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #3,665 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Khai became a top-1000 name in the US after celebrity baby Khai Malik was born in 2020
- The name is pronounced identically to the English letter 'K' said aloud
Khai in Other Languages
Thai
ไข่
Chinese
凯
Japanese
カイ
Vietnamese
Khải
Popularity Over Time
#3,665
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Khai
K
Khai Hadid Malik
Other
2020
Daughter of supermodel Gigi Hadid and musician Zayn Malik, whose birth popularized the name globally
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Compare Khai with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #3,665
- Total SSA Count
- 42
- Cultural Origins
- Vietnamese Thai Southeast Asian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, modern style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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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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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, modern style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, modern style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, minimalist style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Khai
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Khai is also used as a boy name, ranked #949.
View Khai as a boy name →Similar Names
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Compare Khai with...
Same Origin Names (Vietnamese)
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Old Irish origin
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Celtic influence origin
"pledge, oath"
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Jaina
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Hebrew origin
"God is gracious"
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Hebrew origin
"high, exalted"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Khai
What does the name Khai mean?
"joy, happiness" (from Vietnamese). "victory, triumph" (from Thai). Khai is a Vietnamese and Thai name meaning joy or happiness. As a unisex name, it carries the light, bright energy of its meaning. In recent years it has gained attention in Western countries partly through Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik naming their daughter Khai in 2020, bringing global visibility to this beautiful Southeast Asian name.
What is the origin of the name Khai?
Khai has Vietnamese, Thai, and Southeast Asian origins. In Vietnamese, it means "joy, happiness". In Thai, it means "victory, triumph".
Is Khai a boy or girl name?
Khai is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3665. As a boy name, it is ranked #949. Khai is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Khai?
Khai is currently ranked #3665 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Khai?
Popular middle name pairings include Khai Rose, Khai Marie, Khai Lynn, Khai Renee, Khai Jean, and Khai Elise.
What are good sibling names for Khai?
Names that pair well with Khai as siblings include Kai, Zara, Mia, Lena, Jax, and Nia.
How many syllables does Khai have?
Khai has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Khai a common or rare name?
Khai is an uncommon name, ranked #3665 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Khai?
About the Name Khai
Khai is a girl name with Vietnamese, Thai, and Southeast Asian origins . The name means "joy, happiness" in Vietnamese .
Is Khai a boy or girl name? Khai is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,665 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #949. Khai is more commonly used as a boy name.
Khai is currently ranked #3,665 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Khai has 1 syllable, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Khai include Khaleesi, Khalani, Khadija, Khadijah, Khalia . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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