Rising since 2007, #4,249 for boys today.
Popularity of Kaiyan since 2007
Babies named Kaiyan per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2012, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Kaiyan's real moment was 2025.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 21 |
| 2010s | 163 |
| 2020s | 116 |
Meaning & origin
Kaiyan is a modern name that first entered U.S. records in 2007, reflecting the broader trend of names beginning with the popular element Kai. As of 2025, it ranked 4,249 nationally, with an estimated 1 in 71,170 boys given the name that year. Its peak year so far is 2025, and its popularity has been rising since its debut, particularly in the 2020s. The name is most common in California among the top states. The etymology is uncertain, but it likely draws from the widely appealing Kai, which has roots in Hawaiian, Welsh, and Scandinavian languages, among others. Kaiyan fits a pattern of modern invented names that combine a short, strong syllable with a fashionable suffix, making it a trendy choice for parents seeking a distinctive yet accessible option.
Kaiyan first appeared in U.S. records in 2007 and may be a contemporary invention combining the popular element Kai with the suffix -an. Kai itself has multiple roots, including Hawaiian (meaning sea), Welsh (keeper of the keys), and Scandinavian (rejoice). Alternatively, Kaiyan could be a respelling of the Persian name Kayan (meaning king) or a variant of the Irish name Cian (ancient). However, without clear historical or linguistic evidence, the name is best described as a modern coinage.
Where Kaiyan is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kai
Variants: Kayan, Kai'an
Sibling names for Kaiyan
Names that share Kaiyan's style, for a brother or sister.
