Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Kaili
GirlHawaiian
- Meaning
- uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Hawaiian
- Pronunciation
- KY-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #6,426
- US babies 2025
- 18
- Best rank
- #1,277 (2003)
- Peak year
- 2003
Meaning and origin of Kaili
Kaili is usually linked to Hawaiian roots, but its original meaning is uncertain.
Kaili is used as a Hawaiian name, but its meaning is uncertain. It is sometimes linked to Hawaiian words or to a traditional name associated with a deity, but reliable sources do not agree on a definite etymology. In the United States it is also read as a variant of Kaylee or Kylie, which gives it a second, English-language background. The pronunciation varies: KY-lee is common, while KAY-lee is also used, especially by those treating it as a Kaylee spelling. Kaili has a gentle, island feel and is easy to spell. Kailani and Kylie are sound-alike alternatives.
Popularity over time
Kaili first appears in US Social Security records in 1977. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,277 in 2003, the same year it reached its highest count of 164 babies. In 2025, 18 babies were named Kaili, and it ranked #6,426 nationally. That is 63% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #5,084 in 1980, #1,625 in 2000, #2,066 in 2010, and #6,426 in 2025. Of the 2,890 US girls named Kaili since records began, 42% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 639 babies. Since 2010, 759 more have been named Kaili.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Jamiah, Cailin, Kyah, Arionna, and Lizbet.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Kaili over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Kaili is usually pronounced KY-lee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with K and ends in “-li”.
Middle names for Kaili
A few middle names that flow with Kaili: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kaili
Similar names
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nah-TAH-lee
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Lists that include Kaili
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kaili mean?
Kaili is usually linked to Hawaiian roots, but its original meaning is uncertain.
What is the origin of the name Kaili?
Kaili has Hawaiian roots. Kaili is used as a Hawaiian name, but its meaning is uncertain.
Is Kaili a popular name?
Not especially. Kaili ranked #6,426 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Kaili a boy or girl name?
Kaili is mainly a girl's name. About 98% of US babies named Kaili over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Kaili?
Kaili is usually pronounced KY-lee. 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