Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Kaiser
BoyGerman, Latin· “emperor”
- Meaning
- emperor
- Origin
- German, Latin
- Pronunciation
- KY-zur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #836
- US babies 2025
- 296
- Best rank
- #749 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Kaiser
Kaiser is a German and Latin name that means “emperor”.
Kaiser is the German word for emperor, derived from the Latin Caesar, the family name of Julius Caesar that later became a title for Roman rulers. The same source gave Russian its tsar. In German it is also a surname, which is how it first appeared as a personal name. As a given name in the United States, Kaiser is a recent choice with a bold, commanding feel, sitting alongside names like Kingston and Maximus. It is short and punchy, and Kai makes a simple, friendly nickname for everyday use.
Other spellings with the same sound: Kyzer.
Popularity over time
Kaiser first appears in US Social Security records in 1915. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 10 different years, starting in 2016. Its best national rank was #749 in 2022, the same year it reached its highest count of 342 babies. In 2025, 296 babies were named Kaiser, and it ranked #836 nationally. That is 110% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #3,081 in 1920, #5,896 in 1980, #3,585 in 2000, #2,224 in 2010, and #836 in 2025. Of the 3,921 US boys named Kaiser since records began, 48% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 1,407 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Boden, Kiaan, Kenji, Marcellus, and Bear.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kaiser ranked highest in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #228 | 14 |
| Alabama | #245 | 23 |
| Louisiana | #283 | 18 |
| Georgia | #474 | 23 |
| Kentucky | #546 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Kaiser over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Kaiser is usually pronounced KY-zur, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with K and ends in “-er”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Kyzer.
Middle names for Kaiser
A few middle names that flow with Kaiser: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kaiser
Similar names
Ryder Boy
RY-dur
“horseman, rider” · English
#133
August Boy
AW-guhst
“venerable, great” · Latin
#81
Ryker Boy
RY-kur
American (modern coinage)
#183
Tucker Boy
TUH-kur
“cloth fuller” · English
#181
Jasper Boy
JAS-pur
“treasurer; also a gemstone” · Persian
#129
Zander Boy
ZAN-der
“short for Alexander, defender of people” · Greek
#397
Gunner Boy
GUH-nur
“bold warrior; one who fires a gun” · Old Norse
#506
Dexter Boy
DEHK-stur
“dyer” · English
#693
Fletcher Boy
FLECH-er
“arrow maker” · English
#547
Jagger Boy
JAG-ur
“carter, peddler” · English
#885
Archer Boy
AR-cher
“bowman” · English
#98
Hugo Boy
HYOO-goh
“mind, heart, spirit” · Germanic
#378
Lists that include Kaiser
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kaiser mean?
Kaiser is a German and Latin name that means “emperor”.
What is the origin of the name Kaiser?
Kaiser has German and Latin roots. Kaiser is the German word for emperor, derived from the Latin Caesar, the family name of Julius Caesar that later became a title for Roman rulers.
Is Kaiser a popular name?
Yes. Kaiser ranked #836 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kaiser a boy or girl name?
Kaiser is mainly a boy's name. About 99% of US babies named Kaiser over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Kaiser?
Kaiser is usually pronounced KY-zur. 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