Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Kali
GirlSanskrit· “the black one”
- Meaning
- the black one
- Origin
- Sanskrit
- Pronunciation
- KAH-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #323
- US babies 2025
- 948
- Best rank
- #242 (2019)
- Peak year
- 2019
Meaning and origin of Kali
Kali is a Sanskrit name that means “the black one”.
Kali is the name of a major Hindu goddess, a fierce form of the divine feminine associated with time, change and the destruction of evil. The name comes from the Sanskrit kala, meaning black or dark, and it is also linked to the word for time. In India the name carries strong religious weight. In the United States, many parents also use Kali as a phonetic spelling of Callie or as a short form of Kalista, so the same spelling can come from very different places. If the Hindu association matters to you, it gives the name depth, and if you intend a Callie variant, the pronunciation stays the same.
Other spellings with the same sound: Cali, Collie.
Popularity over time
Kali first appears in US Social Security records in 1957. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 44 different years, starting in 1982. Its best national rank was #242 in 2019, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,312 babies. In 2025, 948 babies were named Kali, and it ranked #323 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,376 in 1980, #427 in 2000, #537 in 2010, and #323 in 2025. Of the 32,527 US girls named Kali since records began, 30% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 6,848 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Samara, Briella, Journey, Camilla, and Raegan.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kali ranked highest in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Georgia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #90 | 24 |
| South Carolina | #165 | 29 |
| Georgia | #188 | 56 |
| Louisiana | #191 | 23 |
| North Carolina | #194 | 56 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 97% of US babies named Kali over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Kali is usually pronounced KAH-lee, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with K and ends in “-li”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Cali and Collie.
Middle names for Kali
A few middle names that flow with Kali: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kali
Similar names
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NAH-luh
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nah-YEH-lee
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EE-luh
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OO-muh
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“play (Sanskrit); night (Arabic)” · Sanskrit
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Arya Girl
AHR-yuh
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Alaya Girl
uh-LAY-uh
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RAH-muh
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Ariya Girl
AR-ee-uh
“variant of Aria; possibly noble” · American (modern coinage)
#615
Veda Girl
VAY-duh
“knowledge” · Sanskrit
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Lists that include Kali
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kali mean?
Kali is a Sanskrit name that means “the black one”.
What is the origin of the name Kali?
Kali has Sanskrit roots. Kali is the name of a major Hindu goddess, a fierce form of the divine feminine associated with time, change and the destruction of evil.
Is Kali a popular name?
Yes. Kali ranked #323 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kali a boy or girl name?
Kali is mainly a girl's name. About 97% of US babies named Kali over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Kali?
Kali is usually pronounced KAH-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