Kei
2025 SSA
Below 5 births
About Kei
A succinct Japanese with plenty of positive meanings, Kei can denote wisdom, celebration, and excellence, along with (square) gemstones and Japanese Judas-trees, depending on which kanji is used. In recent years, it has become notably feminine leaning in Japan, often as a short form of Keiko. It is however unisex and may also be used as shorten version of Keita, Keisuke, Keisaku, and more.
Kei for boys#6284 US
Pronounced as KEH in Japanese, the name may nevertheless be used as a variation of the popular Kai (KYE) owing to its alterative Frisian roots. Used as a pet form of Cornelius or Nicolaas, it may also be spelled as Keij or Key.
Kei also appears in the name of a river in South African, The Great Kei River, which possibly comes from a Khoisan word meaning "sand". Additionally, it features in some versions of Arthurian legend, as an alternative spelling of Sir Kay's name.
Notable bearers of the name include poet and writer Kei Miller, tennis player Kei Nishikori, and Kei from the manga series Akira.
Kei for girls
A succinct and simple Japanese name with a variety of good meanings, Kei is a unisex choice that has been leaning feminine in recent years, thanks to the popularity of longer form Keiko. Pronounced as KEH (not to rhyme with Kai), it can relate to wisdom, jubilation, excellence, and gemstones, depending on which kanji is used.
Also the name of a river in South Africa (from a Khoisan word meaning "sand"), as well as a Frisian nickname (pronounced as KYE and typically masculine), Kei may be used to refer to a category of small cars and trucks in Japan.
South Korean singer, Kim Ji-yeon, uses Kei as her stage name.
Pronounced KAY.
As of October 2026, Kei ranked #6284 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #3401 in 2015.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #4,077 | 25 | 13 |
| 2015 | #3,401 | 33 | 17.2 |
| 2016 | #3,647 | 30 | 15.8 |
| 2017 | #4,180 | 25 | 13.5 |
| 2018 | #4,154 | 25 | 13.8 |
| 2019 | #4,562 | 22 | 12.3 |
| 2020 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | #4,166 | 26 | 15.2 |
| 2024 | #4,624 | 22 | 12.8 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | 0 |
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Famous Keis
- KeiGirl
guitarist of Japanese visual kei band DIAURA
- Kei YasudaGirl
Japanese singer, musician and actress
- Kei ShindōGirl
Japanese voice actress
- Kei MizutaniGirl
Japanese adult film actress
- Kei OriharaGirl
Japanese photographer
- Kei NishikoriGirl
Japanese professional tennis player
Kei in pop culture
- Kishomoto KeiGirl
character in anime and manga "GANTZ"
- KeiGirl
character in the anime and manga "Akira"
- KeiGirl
a character in manga and anime "Dirty Pair"
- Nagase KeiGirl
a character in video game "Ace Combat"
- Tsukishima Kei (male)Girl
character in anime and manga "Haikyuu!!"