Is Ky/Kai overused for a male lead in YA?

Writers' Corner
1

See the results of this poll: Is Ky/Kai overused for a male lead in YA?

Respondents: 29 (This poll is closed)

  • No, it’s not overused. You should use it. : 5 (17%)
  • It’s sorta overused, but you can still use it. : 13 (45%)
  • It’s sorta overused, so you shouldn’t use it. : 7 (24%)
  • Yeah, it’s overused. Don’t use it.: 4 (14%)
2

To be honest I haven’t read much young adult in a while so I couldn’t say if it is overused or not, but the choice is up to you. If you really like [name_u]Kai[/name_u]/[name_m]Ky[/name_m] and want to use it go ahead, but if you’re not so sure than try seeing if you could find a name that’s similar to it or that you like more.

3

So far, the results are even between “use it” and “don’t use it.”

4

I voted for the second option. But if you personally have read books with [name_u]Kai[/name_u][name_m]Ky[/name_m] protagonists and think it might affect your writing, than maybe you should go for a similar name:
[name_m]Kian[/name_m]
[name_u]Finn[/name_u]
[name_m]Malakai[/name_m]
Kailen
[name_m]Kaden[/name_m]
[name_m]Kylan[/name_m]
[name_m]Kyson[/name_m]
[name_m]Kyron[/name_m]
[name_m]Kaius[/name_m][name_m]Caius[/name_m]
[name_u]Jay[/name_u]
[name_m]Klaus[/name_m]
Kais
Kainoa
[name_m]Kaiden[/name_m]
Zaine
[name_u]Sky[/name_u]
[name_u]Wylie[/name_u]
[name_u]Riley[/name_u]
[name_u]Elias[/name_u] {[name_m]Eli[/name_m]}

Good luck, and happy writing :D!!!

  • [name_f]Marie[/name_f]
5

If you’re still on the hunt for names, how about Cayzer? It comes from a surname likely derived from Germanic kaiser which is the [name_m]German[/name_m] word for “emperor”, itself coming from the Latin title [name_m]Caesar[/name_m].

[name_u]Kato[/name_u]/ [name_u]Cato[/name_u]

Kavi is an [name_f]Indian[/name_f] name meaning “wise man, poet, sage”.

[name_u]Akiva[/name_u]- a Hebrew form of [name_m]Yaakov[/name_m], the Hebrew form of [name_m]Jacob[/name_m] meaning “supplanter” or “holder of the heel”.

[name_u]Kay[/name_u]- it’s not only a variant form of [name_u]Kai[/name_u], it’s also the name of [name_m]Arthur[/name_m]'s foster-brother in the Arthurian legends.

Kári- a Norse male name pronounced ka-ree (not like carry), the name of the Norse god of the wind.

[name_u]Kirby[/name_u]

[name_m]Kirk[/name_m]

[name_u]Keegan[/name_u]/ [name_u]Keagan[/name_u]

Kaito- it’s a Japanese name

[name_u]Kit[/name_u]

[name_m]Kelan[/name_m]

[name_m]Kole[/name_m]/ [name_m]Cole[/name_m]

And other names that don’t begin with K:

Rune

Leo

Endymion

Ari

Vega

Dace

Avan

Azad

Dion

Zeno

Waylon

Vulcan

Valko- it means “wolf” in Bulgarian

Tory

Seth

Seith- a Welsh name meaning “Seven”

Ryo/ Rio

Rico

Quill

Nix/ Nix

Ned

6

I haven’t read it but I wouldn’t think its overused
Sidenote- Im INFP and also Ravenclaw!

7

If im honest, I’ve seen many [name_u]Kai[/name_u]/[name_m]Ky[/name_m]/[name_u]Kye[/name_u] characters, and it gets annoying having such repetition. If you love the name, use it, but if you’re open to other names, perhaps you’d like [name_u]Jai[/name_u] or [name_u]Kyle[/name_u], [name_m]Clyde[/name_m] or other names that are similar in sound