How common is the Kai surname?

There are approximately 15,000 people with the surname Kai in the United States.

Are there Kai soldiers in Civil War records?

Yes, 3 soldiers with the Kai surname appear in Civil War records.

Kai

Q: What does the surname Kai mean?

The surname Kai means "Sea (Hawaiian), shell/shellfish (Japanese), or a short form of names beginning with K (Scandinavian).". It is of Hawaiian, Japanese, Scandinavian origin.

Other

Meaning

Sea (Hawaiian), shell/shellfish (Japanese), or a short form of names beginning with K (Scandinavian).

Etymology

In Hawaiian, kai derives from Proto-Polynesian *kai meaning 'sea.' In Japanese, kai (貝) refers to shellfish or shells, used both as a standalone name and surname element.

About the Kai Surname

Kai is primarily used as a given name in Hawaiian culture but functions as a surname in Japanese contexts. The name carries significant cultural weight in Pacific Island communities.

Distribution & Frequency

Estimated 15,000 bearers in the United States #908 most common surname

Rare Common

Common in Hawaii and Japan; scattered in Scandinavian countries.

Kai Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

Fewer

People with the Kai Surname

Yuan Shi Kai

President of China

Quick Facts

Origin: Hawaiian, Japanese, Scandinavian
Classification: Other
Earliest Record: Unknown for Hawaiian; documented in Japanese records from medieval period
Estimated Bearers: 15,000

Kai