I’ve recently started gravitating toward one-syllable first names, and [name_u]Kai[/name_u] is currently at the top of the list.
I’ve read that it’s rapidly gaining popularity in some areas, though, and I worry that it might seem too trendy. What do you think? Is it becoming trendy in your towns? Is there a risk that it will seem dated in 10-15 years after the [name_u]Kai[/name_u]-boom? (heehee, couldn’t resist)
It’s within the top 150 in the US and probably the same in [name_f]Canada[/name_f].
I personally wouldn’t know how popular the name [name_u]Kai[/name_u] actually is internationally, as I live in [name_m]New[/name_m] Zealand and over here kai means food, so it’s not generally thought of as a name for a person…
But, if the popularity/trendiness of [name_u]Kai[/name_u] bothers you, here are some longer options that could give [name_u]Kai[/name_u] as a nn, but perhaps without the trendy feel;
Yikai (pr. yee-kai) - Chinese, “kind/victorious one” *not 100% sure on that meaning, just from what I could find online
[name_m]Kaiser[/name_m] (pr. kai-za/kai-zer) - [name_m]German[/name_m], “emperor”
[name_m]Kaius[/name_m]/[name_m]Caius[/name_m]
[name_u]Kyle[/name_u]
[name_m]Kaison[/name_m]/[name_m]Kyson[/name_m]
I’ve never met a [name_u]Kai[/name_u], but I do like the name a lot. I think it’s very possible that it will seem dated in the future, but that’s the case with a whole lot of names. [name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_m]Malachi[/name_m] with [name_u]Kai[/name_u] as a nickname?
I like it and I don’t see it as ‘too trendy’; it’s way over in #145.
Sure, it’s been steadily increasing in popularity, but it hasn’t made any crazy-huge leaps so I say go for it!
I’ve always liked [name_u]Kai[/name_u] - I read the [name_f]Snow[/name_f] [name_f]Queen[/name_f] as a kid and the name stuck I live in the UK and I’ve never met a [name_u]Kai[/name_u] - I’d really love to though!
I feel like there is no arguing that [name_u]Kai[/name_u] is trendy in [name_u]America[/name_u]. It suddenly appeared in the 80’s and has made huge leaps in the 2000’s. It is not a classic name, but who cares? Trendy isn’t terrible. Lot’s of people love trendy names.
[name_u]Kai[/name_u] is super popular where I live in [name_u]Sydney[/name_u]. It means ocean so everyone loves it here! My nephew has it as a middle name ‘[name_u]Hayden[/name_u] [name_u]Kai[/name_u]’ but it’s a really cool first name and I don’t think it will date as much as other names. I’m also a fan of one syllable names.
I see it becoming too trendy and dated. Also i think it is awkward to pronounce. But i am really a fan of English/Scottish names, so [name_u]Kai[/name_u] is a bit too Hollywood for me.
To me it does feel trendy. Where I live it was rare until the early 2000s, meaning most people called [name_u]Kai[/name_u] here are children or teenagers. I’m aware that it’s a traditional name in some other countries though.