Kasai

Kasai for boys#639 US

A romanization of the Japanese word for fire, particularly one spreading over a wide area, Kasai is also a surname and a unisex option in Japan. While a small number of girls have been given the name in the States, it currently leans masculine. Interestingly, it disproportionately popular in Delaware, where it is connected to local wunderkind, Kasai Guthrie, a young entrepreneur and rapper.

Kasai was chosen by actress Skai Jackson in 2025 for her baby, which was the likely spark for its surge in popularity the same year. It made its debut in the Top 1000, given to four times as many boys to the year prior.

The Japanese name coincides with the name of a river running though the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which may help it appeal to fans of Zaire and Zyaire too.

Kasai for girls#12529 US

A Japanese name with plenty of spark, Kasai is a name that's going places — or rather, it is for boys. One of the fastest rising names of 2025, it was given to more than 400 boys in the US, compared to just 7 girls.

A romanization of the Japanese word for fire, particularly one spreading over a wide area, Kasai is also used as a surname in Japan. It was chosen by actress Skai Jackson in 2025 for her baby, which has likely influenced more American parents to consider it.

With its bright meaning, versatile sounds, and similarity to Kai, Kiyomi, Kaia, Kassidy and so on, there is a possibility that Kasai might catch on for American girls too.

Kasai coincides with the name of a river running though the Democratic Republic of the Congo.