Declining since 2018, #3,848 for boys today.
Popularity of Makhai since 1998
Babies named Makhai per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 7 |
| 2000s | 244 |
| 2010s | 480 |
| 2020s | 242 |
Meaning & origin
Makhai is a modern name that entered U.S. records in 1998, a time when invented and respelled names were rising in popularity. Its highest rank came in 2021, when it peaked at its most widespread usage, but since 2018 it has been on a downward trajectory. The name is rare, with only about 1 in 61,003 boys receiving it in 2025. While its origins are unclear, its sound fits a trend of names ending in the 'eye' sound, similar to names like Malachi or Kai. Makhai has not yet been strongly associated with any particular region or top state. Parents drawn to modern, distinctive names may find Makhai appealing, though its lack of historical depth and meaning is a consideration.
Makhai first appeared in U.S. records in 1998, suggesting a modern coinage. It may be a respelling of Makai, a Hawaiian name meaning 'toward the sea,' or a combination of sounds from names like Malachi or Michael. However, no definitive etymology has been established.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mak, Kai
Variants: Maka'i, Makai
Sibling names for Makhai
Names that share Makhai's style, for a brother or sister.
