Kaili

Meaning & origin

Kaili is a modern American name that first appeared on the U.S. naming charts in 1977. Its popularity rose through the 1990s and peaked in 2003, after which it entered a steady decline, a trajectory that continues through the most recent data from 2025, when it ranked 6,325 with a frequency of 1 in 89,293 births. The name is most often given to girls and is thought to be a creative spelling of Kaylee, itself derived from an Irish surname, or possibly influenced by Hawaiian vocabulary. Despite its peak usage in the 2000s, Kaili has never cracked the top 1,000 and has not been strongly associated with any particular state. Its appeal lies in its melodic, two-syllable sound and its resemblance to popular names like Kaylee and Kailey.

Kaili emerged in the United States in the late 20th century, likely as a creative respelling of Kaylee, which itself derives from the Irish surname Caollaidhe meaning 'slender'. Alternatively, Kaili may be influenced by the Hawaiian name Kaili, meaning 'the sea' or 'sea foam', though this connection is uncertain. The name gained modest usage in the 1990s and early 2000s.