Kaiyah

“The sea” — Associated with calmness and serenity

American origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#2656US 2023

66Births / yr

↑Rising

941All-time births

📅 Since 199600

What does Kaiyah mean and where does it come from?

The name Kaiyah is a modern variation of the name Kai, which has Hawaiian roots meaning 'the sea.' The variation Kaiyah is especially favored in the U.S. and is associated with calmness and serenity. It reflects a connection to the ocean, which is significant in Hawaiian culture. This name has becom

Cultural significance

Kaiyah has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of the sea.

Peak popularity

Reached #2574 in 2015 — currently #2656 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Kaiyah?

Kaiyah works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Kaiyah Grace

How popular is Kaiyah right now?

Rising fast — up 286 spots — currently #2656 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 2000–2023#2656 · Top 2.0%

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#2656	66	▲ up 286 · +16% births
2022	#2942	57	▼ down 252 · -11% births
2021	#2690	64	▲ up 164 · +12% births
2020	#2854	57	▼ down 280 · -19% births
2015	#2574	70	▲ up 1036 · +59% births
2010	#3610	44	▲ up 1801 · +83% births
2005	#5411	24	▼ down 767 · -8% births
2000	#4644	26	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Kaiyah

Best Year2015Rank #2574

Peak Count70

Average Rank#3423

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range2000 - 20238 years

The story of Kaiyah

Kaiyah is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1996. With 941 total births recorded, Kaiyah remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #4644 in 2000 to #2656 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Kaiyah in 2015:

Emma Olivia Sophia Ava Isabella

Kaiyah by decade

Kaiyah peaked in the 2010s. See all 2010s names →

Decade	Births
1990s	19
2000s	286
2010s ★	579
2020s	57

💎Kaiyah has only 941 total recorded births since 1996 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Kaiyah?

Common

KaiKaiyKaiyieKaiyyIyah

What names sound and feel like Kaiyah?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Kaiyah also consider these

Kairah

American · A beloved one

Kaijah

American · A creative variation

Kaniyah

American · American

Kamiyah

American · Proof of God

Katiyah

American · pure

Kariyah

American · A beloved name

Kasiyah

American · Kinswoman, friend

Kaviyah

American · Hindi

Common questions about the name Kaiyah

What does the name Kaiyah mean?

Kaiyah means "The sea" — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Kaiyah?

Kaiyah is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Kaiyah have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Kaiyah?

Kaiyah originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How does Kaiyah sound with different last names?

As a one-syllable name, Kaiyah flows best with last names of two or three syllables. Avoid last names ending in the same sound as Kaiyah ends, as this can create an unwanted rhyme. Test by saying the full name out loud several times.

Is Kaiyah trending right now?

Kaiyah is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.