Khai Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAI //kaɪ//
Origin: Vietnamese; Arabic
Meaning: Vietnamese: 'victory'; Arabic: 'king'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Khai has its roots in the Vietnamese language, where it is derived from the word "khai," meaning "to open" or "to unveil." This etymological origin reflects a broader cultural significance associated with new beginnings and enlightenment. The name is often linked to positive attributes such as clarity and revelation, which resonate within Vietnamese culture, where names frequently carry meaningful connotations that reflect virtues or aspirations for the individual.
Historically, the name Khai has been associated with various notable figures in Vietnamese history, particularly during the Nguyen dynasty, which lasted from the early 19th century until the mid-20th century. One significant figure is Emperor Gia Long, who was the founder of the Nguyen dynasty and ruled from 1802 to 1820.
His reign marked the consolidation of Vietnam as a unified nation, and names from this period often reflect the ideals of unity and strength. The use of Khai in this context symbolizes the opening of a new era for the Vietnamese people, aligning with the name's literal meaning.
Culturally, the name Khai is often used in conjunction with other names to create compound names that enhance its meaning. For instance, names like Khai Minh or Khai An combine Khai with other elements that signify brightness or peace, respectively.
This practice underscores the importance of names in Vietnamese culture, where they are not merely identifiers but also carry hopes and aspirations for the bearer. The enduring appeal of the name Khai can be attributed to its positive connotations and the cultural significance attached to the act of opening or revealing, which resonates deeply within Vietnamese traditions.
Famous people named Khai
In this section, you will find notable people named Khai. 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 Khai who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Khai 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.
Khai is a musician best known for his songs and collaborations in the pop genre.
Khai is a social media influencer best known for his lifestyle and fashion content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Fictional characters named Khai
The following list of fictional characters named Khai is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Khai is a fictional character from the novel The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco. They are a powerful necromancer who navigates the complexities of life and death in a world filled with magic.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Khai, 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 Khai. 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 Khai was first seen in the United States in 1977.
Khai has ranked as high as #1015 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Khai has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Khai 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 Khai was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Khai (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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 32 | |
| CA | 27 | |
| NY | 19 | |
| FL | 19 | |
| GA | 13 | |
| LA | 12 | |
| OH | 10 | |
| PA | 10 | |
| VA | 10 | |
| AZ | 7 | |
| IN | 6 | |
| OK | 6 | |
| MI | 6 | |
| IL | 5 | |
| MD | 5 |
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 Khai.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 240 |
| 2023 | 367 |
| 2022 | 278 |
| 2021 | 221 |
| 2020 | 145 |
| 2019 | 153 |
| 2018 | 168 |
| 2017 | 136 |
| 2016 | 125 |
| 2015 | 112 |
| 2014 | 119 |
| 2013 | 71 |
| 2012 | 65 |
| 2011 | 73 |
| 2010 | 65 |
| 2009 | 53 |
| 2008 | 43 |
| 2007 | 44 |
| 2006 | 51 |
| 2005 | 36 |
| 2004 | 48 |
| 2003 | 47 |
| 2002 | 34 |
| 2001 | 35 |
| 2000 | 22 |
| 1999 | 22 |
| 1998 | 17 |
| 1997 | 23 |
| 1996 | 20 |
| 1995 | 20 |
| 1994 | 17 |
| 1993 | 20 |
| 1992 | 7 |
| 1991 | 6 |
| 1990 | 14 |
| 1989 | 12 |
| 1988 | 10 |
| 1987 | 5 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1985 | 8 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1982 | 7 |
| 1981 | 9 |
| 1980 | 9 |
| 1979 | 5 |
| 1977 | 5 |