Kamalei

“the beloved child”

Hawaii origin · Unisex name

♂ 23% boys♀ 77% girls

#12859US 2022

7Births / yr

↑Rising

129All-time births

📅 Since 199500

How to pronounce Kamalei

KAH·mul·AY

/ˈkɑ.məl.ˈeɪ/ · stress on KAH · 3 syllables

“the beloved child”

Hawaii origin · Unisex name

What does Kamalei mean and where does it come from?

Kamalei is of Hawaiian origin, combining 'kama' meaning 'child' and 'lei' meaning 'beloved'. It reflects the Hawaiian tradition of valuing family and connection. The name may also have cultural significance in Hawaiian stories and kinship.

Cultural significance

Kamalei has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Hawaii-speaking communities, where it reflects values of the beloved child.

Peak popularity

Reached #8821 in 2008 — currently #12859 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Kamalei?

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

Kamalei Grace

How popular is Kamalei right now?

Rising fast — up 1459 spots — currently #12859 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1995–2022#12859 · Top 9.5%

1995

2010

2015

2021

2022

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2022	#12859	7	▲ up 1459 · +17% births
2021	#14318	6	▼ down 1924 · -25% births
2015	#12394	8	▲ up 5705 · +60% births
2010	#18099	5	▼ down 6360 · -29% births
1995	#11739	7	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Kamalei

Best Year1995Rank #11739

Peak Count8

Average Rank#13882

Current Trend→Stable

Data Range1995 - 20225 years

The story of Kamalei

Kamalei is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1995. With 129 total births recorded, Kamalei remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #11739 in 1995, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #12859 in 2022. Kamalei is used for both genders: 77% female and 23% male.

Names that peaked alongside Kamalei in 2008:

Emma Isabella Emily Olivia Ava

Kamalei by decade

Kamalei peaked in the 2000s. See all 2000s names →

Decade	Births
1990s	27
2000s ★	53
2010s	44
2020s	5

💎Kamalei has only 129 total recorded births since 1995 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Kamalei?

Common

KamKamieKamyAlei

What names sound and feel like Kamalei?

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

Hanalei

Hawaii · where the lei

Kamali

African · Swahili

Kalei

Hawaii · A beloved child

American · a combination of

Kaizlei

Unknown · Unknown

Avalei

Variations exist in different · Father's joy

Common questions about the name Kamalei

What does the name Kamalei mean?

Kamalei means "the beloved child" — a name rooted in Hawaii 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 Kamalei?

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

What is the cultural origin of Kamalei?

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

How do you pronounce the name Kamalei?

Kamalei is a three-syllable name pronounced K AA1 M AH0 L EY1. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

What sibling names go well with Kamalei?

Kamalei pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Hawaii heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.