Declining since 2015, #574 for girls today.
Popularity of Cali since 1959
Babies named Cali per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 6 |
| 1960s | 41 |
| 1970s | 169 |
| 1980s | 715 |
| 1990s | 1,651 |
| 2000s | 4,549 |
| 2010s | 11,486 |
| 2020s | 4,725 |
Meaning & origin
Cali is a modern American name that first appeared on the U.S. Social Security list in 1959. It reached its peak popularity in 2014, ranking 574th and given to about 1 in 3,103 girls in 2025. Its trajectory has been falling since 2015, mirroring a broader shift away from trendy, location-inspired names. The name has seen particular favor in states like Mississippi, Louisiana, and West Virginia. Its meaning is likely a playful contraction of Calista or a reference to California, though modern coinages often resist strict etymological definition.
Cali emerged as a given name in the mid-20th century, likely as a feminine diminutive of Calista (from Greek kállistos, 'most beautiful') or as a respelling of Callie. Another strong influence is California, the U.S. state, often used in reference to a laid-back, sunny lifestyle.
Where Cali is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Cali” around the world
Where Cali lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
50
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cali
Sibling names for Cali
Names that share Cali's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Cali
Names whose popularity has moved with Cali's over the last 50 years.
