The baby name Kahai is a Unisex name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced KAH-hy (approx. IPA: /kɑˈhaɪ/ or /kəˈhaɪ/). Pronunciation may vary regionally and with inclusion of Hawaiian ʻokina..
Kahai is Hawaiian, Polynesian in Origin.
The baby name Kahai is a Unisex name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced KAH-hy (approx. IPA: /kɑˈhaɪ/ or /kəˈhaɪ/). Pronunciation may vary regionally and with inclusion of Hawaiian ʻokina..
Kahai is Hawaiian, Polynesian in Origin.
Kahai is a Hawaiian given name, more precisely the romanized form of Kahaʻi (with the ʻokina). Often glossed as to relate, tell or to carry/transfer, it is closely tied to the culture hero Kahaʻi, son of Hema, famed for voyaging south and bringing the ‘ulu (breadfruit) to Hawaiʻi. Cognate figures and forms appear across Polynesia (e.g., Tāfaki/Tafaki), reflecting shared seafaring lore. Variants include Kahaʻi, Kaha'i, and the simplified Kahai; Kai is a familiar nickname.
Attested in chiefly genealogies and mo‘olelo, Kahai carries ancestral resonance yet remains a rare modern choice. Usage skews masculine, though it can be unisex. Outside Hawaiʻi, diacritics are often dropped. The name appeals to families seeking connections to navigation, storytelling, and the transmission of valued plants and knowledge.
Kahai is exceptionally rare. There are only 10 recorded uses on record, spread over 7 countries.
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BN | Boys | 0 | #139 | 1 | 6,332 |
| MO | Boys | 0 | #234 | 1 | 5,842 |
| NA | Boys | 0 | #253 | 1 | 6,830 |
| BD | Girls | 0 | #406 | 1 | 8,413 |
| CM | Girls | 0 | #560 | 1 | 11,671 |
| CM | Boys | 0 | #575 | 1 | 12,054 |
| MY | Girls | 0 | #1,072 | 1 | 24,821 |
| MY | Boys | 0 | #1,181 | 2 | 25,439 |
| DZ | 0 | #1,234 | 1 | 20,130 |
Kahai is popular in 7 countries — most recent births per country:
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