Kaia Girl

Popularity: #185 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KYE-uh /ˈkaɪə/

Origin: Hawaiian; Scandinavian

Meaning: Hawaiian: sea; Scandinavian: pure

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Kaia has roots in multiple languages, with its etymology tracing back to the Greek word "kairos," meaning "the right moment" or "opportune time." This term reflects a sense of timing and appropriateness, which has resonated through various cultures. Additionally, Kaia is often associated with the Hawaiian word "kaia," meaning "the sea," which connects the name to nature and the ocean, highlighting its geographical significance in Hawaiian culture.

The name has also been linked to the Scandinavian name "Kaja," a diminutive of "Katherine," which means "pure" in Greek, showcasing its diverse linguistic heritage. Historically, the name Kaia has been used in various cultures and contexts.

It has appeared in literature and art, often symbolizing beauty, nature, and a connection to the earth. In the 20th century, the name gained prominence through its use in literature and popular culture, although specific milestones are less documented compared to more traditional names.

The name's association with the sea in Hawaiian culture has also contributed to its appeal, as the ocean holds significant spiritual and cultural importance in many island communities. Culturally, Kaia embodies themes of strength and resilience, often associated with the nurturing aspects of nature.

The name's connection to both the sea and the concept of timing lends it a poetic quality, making it a favored choice among parents seeking names with deep meanings. While diminutive forms such as Kaja exist, Kaia stands out as a unique name that encapsulates a blend of natural beauty and cultural significance, reflecting a rich tapestry of linguistic and historical influences.

Famous people named Kaia

In this section, you will find notable people named Kaia. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Kaia who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Kaia who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Kaia Gerber is a model and actress best known for her work with Vogue, Calvin Klein, and Marc Jacobs.

Kaia Kanepi is a professional tennis player best known for her performances at the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kaia, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

MayaLilaNinaZaraTaliaSiena

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Kaia. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

KayaMayaKiraLilaZaraNiaTaliaSiaRhea

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Kaia was first seen in the United States in 1955.

Kaia has ranked as high as #410 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in California, Florida, Texas, New York, and Washington.

In the past 5 years the name Kaia has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Kaia is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Kaia was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Kaia.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 1,623 5 1,618
2024 1,680 0 1,680
2023 1,613 0 1,613
2022 1,335 0 1,335
2021 1,304 0 1,304
2020 1,082 6 1,076
2019 1,015 0 1,015
2018 1,071 5 1,066
2017 1,000 7 993
2016 896 10 886
2015 708 0 708
2014 567 0 567
2013 466 0 466
2012 522 0 522
2011 480 0 480
2010 536 0 536
2009 514 5 509
2008 462 0 462
2007 466 0 466
2006 408 0 408
2005 401 0 401
2004 391 6 385
2003 434 0 434
2002 449 5 444
2001 266 9 257
2000 242 0 242
1999 146 0 146
1998 81 0 81
1997 70 0 70
1996 55 0 55
1995 52 0 52
1994 37 0 37
1993 39 0 39
1992 36 0 36
1991 45 0 45
1990 33 0 33
1989 29 0 29
1988 27 0 27
1987 18 0 18
1986 23 0 23
1985 15 0 15
1984 22 0 22
1983 17 0 17
1982 22 0 22
1981 18 0 18
1980 20 0 20
1979 22 0 22
1978 25 0 25
1977 22 0 22
1976 16 0 16
1975 20 0 20
1974 15 0 15
1973 11 0 11
1972 17 0 17
1971 9 0 9
1970 10 0 10
1969 7 0 7
1968 6 0 6
1967 8 0 8
1965 9 0 9
1961 6 0 6
1960 8 0 8
1959 8 0 8
1957 7 0 7
1955 5 0 5

Top States for Kaia (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 359
22%
TX 140
8%
FL 114
7%
NY 98
6%
WA 68
4%
IL 51
3%
MA 50
3%
VA 45
3%
NC 43
3%
PA 43
3%
AZ 43
3%
OH 42
3%
CO 39
2%
HI 38
2%
NJ 36
2%
MN 35
2%
GA 29
2%
IN 27
2%
MD 27
2%
OR 26
2%
CT 25
2%
UT 22
1%
MI 19
1%
MO 18
1%
NV 18
1%
TN 17
1%
WI 17
1%
SC 16
1%
ID 14
1%
IA 12
1%
NM 11
1%
OK 11
1%
LA 11
1%
NE 11
1%
AR 11
1%
NH 9
1%
AL 8
0%
AK 7
0%
KY 7
0%
RI 7
0%
WV 7
0%
MT 6
0%
KS 6
0%
ND 6
0%
DC 5
0%
SD 5
0%