Cai
15% girls · 85% boys
About Cai
Cai, as distinguished from the boys' name Kai, is international, simple, unusual.
Cai for boys#2113 US
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.
Pronounced KY.
As of November 2026, Cai ranked #8457 for girls and #2113 for boys in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #3788 for girls in 2020 and #1612 for boys in 2022.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · girls | Births · girls | US rank · boys | Births · boys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | — | 0 | #2,003 | 71 |
| 2015 | — | 0 | #1,816 | 82 |
| 2016 | #4,270 | 34 | #1,830 | 82 |
| 2017 | — | 0 | #2,052 | 68 |
| 2018 | — | 0 | #2,149 | 65 |
| 2019 | #4,788 | 28 | #2,151 | 66 |
| 2020 | #3,788 | 38 | #2,118 | 66 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | #1,802 | 87 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | #1,612 | 108 |
| 2023 | — | 0 | #1,849 | 86 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | #1,902 | 83 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | #2,113 | 69 |
World rankings
Cai for boys
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Famous Cais
- Cai Bella Bridges (b. 2013)Girl
daughter of rapper Ludacris and Tamika Fuller
- Cai MyAnna Dukes (b. 2014)Girl
daughter of American actress Shanola Hampton