Kaia
Kaia is a girls' name of Norse origin meaning “pure (from Katherine); sea (from Kai).” It ranked #193 in the United States in 2025.
Torn between Kaia and another name? Ask family and friends to vote
how do you pronounce Kaia?
KY-ah
where does the name Kaia come from?
An Estonian and Norwegian name in its own right, and also used as a variant of Kai, which means sea in Hawaiian.
Kaia is an Estonian and Norwegian name, a pet form of Katherine, and it is also used as a variant of Kai, which means sea in Hawaiian. The model Kaia Gerber, daughter of Cindy Crawford, has given it significant modern visibility.
how popular is this name?
Kaia has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 26 years since 2000. It peaked at #180 in 2024, and ranked #193 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #193 |
| 2024 | #180 |
| 2023 | #186 |
| 2022 | #225 |
| 2021 | #231 |
| 2020 | #300 |
| 2019 | #315 |
| 2018 | #312 |
| 2017 | #330 |
| 2016 | #368 |
| 2010 | #547 |
| 2000 | #904 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Kaia fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Kaia?
- Kaia Gerber (model)
- Kaia (various Scandinavian bearers)
what are the nicknames and variants of Kaia?
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Kaia?
what names go well with Kaia?
Sibling names that share Kaia's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Kaia
What does the name Kaia mean?
Kaia means “pure (from Katherine); sea (from Kai)”.
What is the origin of the name Kaia?
Kaia comes from the Norse naming tradition. Related forms include Kaya and Kaija.
How popular is the name Kaia?
Kaia ranked #193 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2024, at #180, and it has spent 26 years in the top 1,000 since 2000.
Is Kaia a boy or girl name?
Kaia is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Kaia?
Kaia is pronounced KY-ah, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
love Kaia? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
Start your free session