Cai
About Cai
Cai is a name with rich multicultural origins. In Welsh, it means 'rejoice' and is a form of the Arthurian knight Sir Kay. In Chinese, Cai (蔡) is a respected surname and can also be a given name meaning 'talent' or 'ability.' The name has gained modest popularity in Western countries as parents seek short, distinctive names with cross-cultural appeal. In Scotland and Ireland, it may be a shortened form of Cailan or related Celtic names. Cai's simplicity and strong sound make it an increasingly attractive choice for boys, especially among parents looking for names that are brief yet meaningful and easy to pronounce across languages.
As of October 2026, Cai ranked #2113 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #1612 in 2022, Nameberry popularity #901.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #2,003 | 71 | 37 |
| 2015 | #1,816 | 82 | 42.8 |
| 2016 | #1,830 | 82 | 43.2 |
| 2017 | #2,052 | 68 | 36.7 |
| 2018 | #2,149 | 65 | 35.8 |
| 2019 | #2,151 | 66 | 36.8 |
| 2020 | #2,118 | 66 | 38.2 |
| 2021 | #1,802 | 87 | 49.7 |
| 2022 | #1,612 | 108 | 61.9 |
| 2023 | #1,849 | 86 | 50.3 |
| 2024 | #1,902 | 83 | 48.2 |
| 2025 | #2,113 | 69 | 40.4 |
World rankings
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