Declining since 2002, #8,362 for girls today.
Popularity of Kalei since 1973
Babies named Kalei per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0 | 14 |
| 1980s | 81 | 35 |
| 1990s | 433 | 15 |
| 2000s | 907 | 64 |
| 2010s | 354 | 80 |
| 2020s | 173 | 68 |
Meaning & origin
Kalei first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1980, a time when Hawaiian-inspired names began gaining broader appeal. Its popularity peaked in 2003, ranking 8362 in 2025 with approximately 1 in every 133,939 baby girls given the name. Since 2002, its usage has been steadily declining, reflecting a broader trend away from once-fashionable names ending in the 'ay' sound. While no single state dominates its use, Kalei remains a rare but recognizable choice, often associated with Hawaiian culture due to its phonetic resemblance to words like 'lei.' The name's exact etymology is unclear, but its modern adoption suggests a blend of cultural appreciation and creative naming.
Kalei is often associated with Hawaiian origins, where it may be derived from ka (the) and lei (lei, garland, or beloved child). However, its rise as a given name in the United States, particularly from the 1980s onward, suggests it may also be a modern coinage influenced by Hawaiian sounds or an alternative spelling of names like Kaylee. Its usage remains modest but distinctive.
Sibling names for Kalei
Names that share Kalei's style, for a brother or sister.
