Ka Unisex

Popularity: · Trend: → Stable

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: Kah /kɑː/

Origin: Japanese; African

Meaning: Japanese: 'fragrance'; African: 'the one who brings happiness'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ka has its roots in various linguistic traditions, with notable origins in both Asian and African cultures. In Japanese, Ka (香) can mean 'fragrance' or 'perfume,' deriving from the kanji character that embodies these meanings.

In Chinese, Ka (卡) can refer to a card or a barrier, depending on the context, and it is often used in transliterations of foreign names. The name has also been associated with the ancient Egyptian word 'ka,' which refers to the spiritual essence of a person, highlighting its deep cultural significance in the context of life and the afterlife.

The journey of the name into English is less direct, often appearing through transliterations and adaptations from these languages rather than as a traditional English name. Historically, the name Ka has been used in various contexts, particularly in literature and mythology.

In ancient Egyptian belief, the 'ka' was a vital aspect of the soul, representing the life force that continued to exist after death. This concept was central to their understanding of the afterlife and influenced their burial practices and religious rituals.

In Japanese culture, names incorporating 'Ka' have been used for centuries, often chosen for their auspicious meanings, reflecting the importance of nature and beauty in naming conventions. Culturally, the name Ka resonates with themes of essence and identity, embodying qualities that are cherished across different societies.

The simplicity of the name allows it to be easily adapted into various forms and languages, contributing to its endurance through time. In some cultures, diminutive forms or variations of the name may exist, but the core significance remains tied to its original meanings.

Overall, Ka represents a rich tapestry of linguistic and cultural heritage, reflecting the values and beliefs of the societies that have embraced it.

Famous people named Ka

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

We also feature individuals named Ka 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.

Ka is a rapper best known for his albums Grief Pedigree, Honor Killed the Samurai, and Descendants of Cain.

Ka is a visual artist best known for his work in the contemporary art scene, focusing on themes of identity and culture.

Fictional characters named Ka

The following list of fictional characters named Ka 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.

Ka is a fictional character from the novel The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger. They are a key figure in the narrative, representing the concept of ka, or fate, that guides the protagonist's journey.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ka, 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 Ka. 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 Ka was first seen in the United States in 1962.

Ka has ranked as high as #1162 nationally, which occurred in 1990, and has been most popular in California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

In the past 5 years the name Ka has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Ka 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 Ka was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Ka (1981)

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
CA 6
100%

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 Ka.

YearBirths
20046
20029
20019
200011
199919
199821
199718
199624
199537
199447
199345
199249
199150
199065
198953
198837
198734
198639
198532
198434
198339
198234
198129
198013
19799
19787
19776
19625