Maori Names that Start With K

This appealing multi-cultural name, pronounced KYE, is beginning to be used for girls as well as boys. Among its many derivations and meanings: "sea" in Hawaiian, "forgiveness" in Japanese, "willow tree" in Navajo, "food" in Maori, and "earth" in Scandinavian. For girls, it debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2010.

The name Kiri was made famous by New Zealand soprano Kiri Te Kanawa, whose original name was Claire.  Cute but slight, Kiri is close to several other names from Kiriah to Keira to Kyra and its diminutive Kyrie.

Kiri

Kirrily, which rhymes with cheerily, is a name that's uniquely popular in Australia.  It originated in recent decades as an elaboration of several similar names – the European Kyra or Keira, the Maori Kiri which means tree bark, or the Aboriginal word kira which means leaf – plus the lee sound.  
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Both Aboriginal actress Kirrily Nolan and Australian fashion designer Kirrily Johnston have helped popularize the name, which has spawned a countless number of spelling variations including Kirrilie and Kirralee. Tennis player Kirrily Sharpe and actress Kirrily White are other notable bearers. 
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Unrelated to the Russian Kirill (a variation of Cyril) despite their similar appearance, Kirrily has proved surprisingly popular on Nameberry where it ranked in the Top 50 in 2025. 

Maori Names that Start With K

The names

Kai

Kiri

Kirrily