Declining since 2019, #6,143 for boys today.
Popularity of Kawhi since 2013
Babies named Kawhi per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2010s | 234 |
| 2020s | 166 |
Meaning & origin
Kawhi is a modern name that first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 2013, coinciding with the emergence of NBA star Kawhi Leonard. Its rank of 6143 in 2025 reflects a sharp decline in popularity since its peak year of 2019, when it ranked much higher. Approximately 1 in 122005 newborns received the name in 2025, down from its peak usage. The name is likely an invented respelling or a variation of the Hawaiian name Kawai, but its etymology is uncertain due to its recent coinage. Kawhi has never been recorded in any top baby name lists or concentrated in any particular state, remaining a relatively rare choice.
The name Kawhi first appeared in U.S. records in 2013, coinciding with the rise of NBA player Kawhi Leonard. It may be a respelling of Kawai, itself a variant of the Hawaiian name Kāwai (meaning 'the water' or 'the seas'), or a modern invention inspired by the sound of names like Kai or Kobe. No traditional etymology predates its 21st-century usage.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kaw, Khi
Variants: Kawai, Kawhy
Sibling names for Kawhi
Names that share Kawhi's style, for a brother or sister.
