Kailei Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAI-lay /ˈkaɪleɪ/
Origin: Hawaiian; English
Meaning: Hawaiian: 'the sea'; English: 'a form of Kaylee'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kailei is believed to have roots in Hawaiian culture, where it is often associated with the word "kai," meaning "sea" or "ocean," and "lei," which refers to a garland or wreath, typically made of flowers. This combination evokes imagery of the natural beauty and abundance of the Hawaiian islands, reflecting a deep connection to the environment and the significance of the ocean in Hawaiian life.
The name likely entered English usage through the influence of Hawaiian culture in the 20th century, particularly as interest in Hawaiian language and traditions grew in the mainland United States and beyond. Historically, Hawaiian names often carry meanings that reflect the natural world, familial connections, or significant events.
The use of names like Kailei can be traced back to the broader tradition of naming practices in Polynesian cultures, where names are not only identifiers but also convey cultural heritage and identity. The 19th century saw increased documentation of Hawaiian names and their meanings, particularly during the missionary period when the Hawaiian language was first written down and studied by Western scholars.
Culturally, the name Kailei embodies the spirit of aloha and the importance of nature in Hawaiian culture. It resonates with themes of beauty, love, and the sea, which are central to many Hawaiian traditions and stories.
The name may also evoke a sense of peace and tranquility, akin to the gentle waves of the ocean. While diminutive forms or variations of the name may exist, Kailei stands out for its unique blend of natural imagery and cultural significance, making it a meaningful choice within the context of Hawaiian naming traditions.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kailei, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Kailei. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kailei was first seen in the United States in 1988.
Kailei has ranked as high as #7446 nationally, which occurred in 2007, and has been most popular in Texas, California, and Georgia.
In the past 5 years the name Kailei has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kailei 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 Kailei 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 Kailei.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 7 |
| 2023 | 13 | 13 |
| 2022 | 13 | 13 |
| 2021 | 13 | 13 |
| 2020 | 8 | 8 |
| 2019 | 8 | 8 |
| 2018 | 12 | 12 |
| 2017 | 17 | 17 |
| 2016 | 20 | 20 |
| 2015 | 14 | 14 |
| 2014 | 18 | 18 |
| 2013 | 16 | 16 |
| 2012 | 18 | 18 |
| 2011 | 28 | 28 |
| 2010 | 33 | 33 |
| 2009 | 31 | 31 |
| 2008 | 20 | 20 |
| 2007 | 34 | 34 |
| 2006 | 32 | 32 |
| 2005 | 28 | 28 |
| 2004 | 34 | 34 |
| 2003 | 30 | 30 |
| 2002 | 24 | 24 |
| 2001 | 23 | 23 |
| 2000 | 26 | 26 |
| 1999 | 18 | 18 |
| 1998 | 12 | 12 |
| 1997 | 6 | 6 |
| 1996 | 8 | 8 |
| 1995 | 6 | 6 |
| 1994 | 6 | 6 |
| 1993 | 10 | 10 |
| 1992 | 6 | 6 |
| 1991 | 5 | 5 |
| 1990 | 6 | 6 |
| 1989 | 7 | 7 |
| 1988 | 7 | 7 |
Top States for Kailei (2023)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| GA | 5 |