Girl · 825th of 30,306
Kairi
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
6,542
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2019
Peak Popularity Year
448
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Kairi stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Kairi has Japanese origins, meaning 'sea village'. Its linguistic path shows a transition from traditional Japanese to contemporary usage, gaining traction in popular culture. It is associated with positive traits of youthfulness and creativity, and it has no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkaɪəri/
Origin
Japanese
Etymology
The name Kairi is derived from the Japanese word '海' (kai) meaning 'sea' and '里' (ri) meaning 'village' or 'hometown'.
Meaning
sea village
Language Evolution
海里 (Kairi, Japanese), Kairi (transliterated)
Historical Usage
Kairi gained popularity as a given name in Japan, particularly in the late 20th century, and has since been adopted in various cultures, influenced by media and pop culture.
Variants & Derivatives
Kairi (common variant), Kaori (similar sounding name)
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Kairi is perceived as a trendy and youthful name, often associated with characters in video games and anime, contributing to its popularity among younger generations.
Famous People
Kairi Sane (professional wrestler), Kairi (character in Kingdom Hearts series)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 448 peak births in 2019
Geographic Spread
Popular across 38 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 18 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 7 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6142nd of 10718 | 40 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 9366th of 16616 | 39 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 7684th of 24088 | 138 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 4052nd of 23106 | 310 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 19264th of 19264 | 5 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1582nd of 35406 | 2,071 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 825th of 30306 | 3,939 |