Kairo Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KYE-roh //ˈkaɪroʊ//
Origin: Arabic; Greek; Japanese
Meaning: Arabic: victorious; Greek: the one who is victorious; Japanese: open, spacious
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kairo is believed to have its roots in the Greek word "kairos," which translates to "the right or opportune moment." This term has been adopted into various languages, including Arabic, where it is associated with the city of Cairo, derived from the Arabic "al-Qāhirah," meaning "the victorious." The name Kairo, therefore, carries connotations of timing and victory, reflecting its etymological lineage through Greek and Arabic influences into modern usage. The transition into English likely occurred through cultural exchanges and the spread of Arabic language and culture, particularly during the medieval period when trade and scholarship flourished between Europe and the Arab world.
Historically, the name Kairo is not directly linked to any specific biblical figures or saints, but it resonates with significant historical milestones, particularly the establishment of Cairo in the 10th century as a major center of learning and culture in the Islamic world. The city played a crucial role in the dissemination of knowledge and the arts, influencing various regions, including Europe.
The name's association with Cairo may evoke the city's rich history and its importance as a crossroads of civilizations, which has persisted through the centuries. Culturally, the name Kairo embodies themes of opportunity and triumph, reflecting a broader human experience of seizing moments of significance.
Its connection to Cairo also imbues it with a sense of historical depth, as the city has been a symbol of resilience and cultural richness. While diminutive forms or variations of the name may exist, Kairo stands out for its unique phonetic and symbolic qualities, making it a name that carries both historical weight and a sense of aspiration.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kairo, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kairo was first seen in the United States in 1995.
Kairo has ranked as high as #411 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in New York, Florida, Texas, California, and Georgia.
In the past 5 years the name Kairo has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kairo 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 Kairo was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Kairo (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| FL | 150 | |
| TX | 147 | |
| NY | 127 | |
| CA | 121 | |
| GA | 106 | |
| NC | 78 | |
| PA | 54 | |
| VA | 54 | |
| MD | 46 | |
| IL | 46 | |
| SC | 37 | |
| OH | 36 | |
| LA | 32 | |
| TN | 30 | |
| MI | 29 |
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 Kairo.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,478 |
| 2023 | 1,488 |
| 2022 | 1,414 |
| 2021 | 1,316 |
| 2020 | 1,194 |
| 2019 | 1,109 |
| 2018 | 608 |
| 2017 | 285 |
| 2016 | 153 |
| 2015 | 82 |
| 2014 | 72 |
| 2013 | 71 |
| 2012 | 44 |
| 2011 | 43 |
| 2010 | 24 |
| 2009 | 41 |
| 2008 | 17 |
| 2007 | 24 |
| 2006 | 31 |
| 2005 | 23 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2000 | 19 |
| 1999 | 9 |
| 1998 | 10 |
| 1997 | 10 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 1995 | 6 |