Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Cali
GirlGreek, English· “beautiful; also a Colombian city”
- Meaning
- beautiful; also a Colombian city
- Origin
- Greek, English
- Pronunciation
- KAL-ee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #574
- US babies 2025
- 518
- Best rank
- #202 (2014)
- Peak year
- 2014
Meaning and origin of Cali
Cali is a Greek and English name that is usually said to mean “beautiful; also a Colombian city”.
Cali works as a short, sunny form of longer names such as Calista and Callista, which trace back to the Greek word kallos, meaning beauty. It also sounds like a nickname for California, which gives it a relaxed West Coast feel, and it is the name of Santiago de Cali, a major city in western Colombia. Because it can be read several ways, the meaning you attach to it is partly up to you. Cali is light, friendly and easy to spell, and it pairs well with longer middle names. If you want a fuller name on the birth certificate, Calista or Caroline both shorten naturally to Cali.
Other spellings with the same sound: Kali, Collie.
Popularity over time
Cali first appears in US Social Security records in 1959. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 29 different years, starting in 1997. Its best national rank was #202 in 2014, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,664 babies. In 2025, 518 babies were named Cali, and it ranked #574 nationally. That is 64% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,007 in 1980, #817 in 2000, #416 in 2010, and #574 in 2025. Of the 23,342 US girls named Cali since records began, 49% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 4,725 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Adelyn, Presley, Callie, Alayna, and Harmony.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Cali ranked highest in Mississippi, Louisiana, and West Virginia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #187 | 14 |
| Louisiana | #214 | 20 |
| West Virginia | #322 | 5 |
| Florida | #368 | 50 |
| South Carolina | #379 | 13 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Cali over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Cali is usually pronounced KAL-ee, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with C and ends in “-li”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Kali and Collie.
Middle names for Cali
A few middle names that flow with Cali: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Cali
Similar names
Callie Girl
KAL-ee
“beautiful” · Greek
#175
Tessa Girl
TES-uh
“short for Theresa” · English
#311
Maggie Girl
MAG-ee
“pearl” · English
#294
Lexi Girl
LEHK-see
“defender; short for Alexandra” · English
#628
Georgia Girl
JOR-juh
“feminine of George; farmer” · Greek
#99
Katie Girl
KAY-tee
“often said to mean 'pure'” · English
#646
Lexie Girl
LEHK-see
“short for Alexandra; defender” · Greek
#1,357
Penny Girl
PEH-nee
“short form of Penelope; also the coin” · English
#740
Pippa Girl
PIH-puh
“pet form of Philippa, lover of horses” · English
#1,864
Sydney Girl
SIHD-nee
“from an English surname and place name” · Old English
#348
Piper Girl
PY-pur
“pipe player” · English
#155
Payton Girl
PAY-tuhn
“from an English place name” · Old English
#440
Lists that include Cali
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cali mean?
Cali is a Greek and English name that is usually said to mean “beautiful; also a Colombian city”.
What is the origin of the name Cali?
Cali has Greek and English roots. Cali works as a short, sunny form of longer names such as Calista and Callista, which trace back to the Greek word kallos, meaning beauty.
Is Cali a popular name?
Yes. Cali ranked #574 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Cali a boy or girl name?
Cali is mainly a girl's name. About 98% of US babies named Cali over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Cali?
Cali is usually pronounced KAL-ee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings