Makai Boy

Popularity: #439 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: mah-KAI //məˈkaɪ//

Origin: Hawaiian; Hebrew

Meaning: Hawaiian: the sea; Hebrew: who is like God?

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Makai has its roots in the Hawaiian language, where it means "towards the sea" or "from the sea." The etymology can be traced back to the Hawaiian word "kai," which translates to "sea" or "ocean." This connection to the ocean reflects the significance of the sea in Hawaiian culture, where it is often associated with life, sustenance, and navigation. The name Makai embodies a deep connection to nature and the environment, which is a central theme in many Polynesian cultures.

Historically, the name Makai has been used in various contexts within Hawaiian society. The Hawaiian Islands were settled by Polynesians around the 1st millennium CE, and the language and names evolved alongside the rich oral traditions of the islands.

The importance of the sea in Hawaiian mythology and daily life has made names related to the ocean, such as Makai, resonate through generations. The name has also been featured in various cultural expressions, including hula and chants, which often celebrate the natural world.

Culturally, Makai symbolizes a connection to the ocean, which is a vital aspect of Hawaiian identity. The name is often associated with qualities such as strength, resilience, and a sense of belonging to the land and sea.

In Hawaiian tradition, names are not merely labels but carry significant meaning and are often chosen to reflect the circumstances of a child's birth or the aspirations of the parents. The enduring nature of the name Makai is a testament to its cultural significance and the values it represents within Hawaiian society.

Famous people named Makai

In this section, you will find notable people named Makai. 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 Makai who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Makai 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.

Makai McCraven is a musician and producer best known for Universal Beings, In the Moment, and Deciphering the Message.

Makai Jones is a professional rugby player best known for his performances with the New Zealand Warriors and the New Zealand national team.

Sibling suggestions

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

KaiMiloLukaKoaNoaRyderZane

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Makai was first seen in the United States in 1989.

Makai has ranked as high as #974 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in California, Florida, New York, Georgia, and Texas.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Makai 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 Makai 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 Makai.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 626 626 0
2024 559 559 0
2023 622 611 11
2022 582 572 10
2021 544 534 10
2020 538 518 20
2019 506 499 7
2018 499 484 15
2017 421 411 10
2016 436 422 14
2015 383 371 12
2014 355 341 14
2013 358 348 10
2012 360 348 12
2011 378 356 22
2010 356 341 15
2009 366 361 5
2008 242 234 8
2007 242 233 9
2006 245 232 13
2005 252 230 22
2004 160 143 17
2003 143 128 15
2002 132 122 10
2001 81 72 9
2000 59 52 7
1999 57 49 8
1998 37 37 0
1997 27 21 6
1996 17 17 0
1995 14 14 0
1993 7 7 0
1989 5 5 0

Top States for Makai (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 54
10%
TX 50
10%
FL 46
9%
GA 46
9%
NY 34
7%
NC 30
6%
VA 22
4%
MI 20
4%
IL 20
4%
PA 15
3%
AL 13
3%
MD 13
3%
OH 11
2%
NJ 11
2%
IN 11
2%
TN 11
2%
MN 10
2%
LA 9
2%
AZ 9
2%
MA 8
2%
OR 8
2%
MO 8
2%
MS 8
2%
SC 8
2%
WI 7
1%
NV 6
1%
UT 6
1%
CO 6
1%
OK 5
1%
WA 5
1%
IA 5
1%