My husband and I are considering this name for our baby boy: Kai Alexander. How would you pronounce Kai? With a long I as in kite or with a long A as in Kate? Thanks!
Thanks everyone for the responses! It's interesting that everyone (so far) agrees on the long I sound. I like the name because it's so simple. I first came across it in fairy tales (I'm an English major) - King Arthur's step brother is Sir Kai, but it's sometimes spelled Kay. Again, thanks for the input.
My girlfriend has a son named Kai. It is pronounced K(h)-EYE. it's a soft "h'...he was born in Hawaii and it's an Hawaiian name.
I am smiling at B's reply -- my very first thought was the Kai on the TV show "Deep Space Nine"!
I would pronounce it with a long I as in kite. But like another post below, I tend to think that if you have any doubts about how people will pronounce it or spell it, you might reconsider the name.
I've only ever heard it pronounced with a long I. If you're unsure about it though, might be better to choose a different name. Every time I see a question titled "how would you pronounce this name," my gut instinct is to say "don't choose that name." In any case, I do know several Kai's and all of them rhyme with "eye."
I know a boy named Kai and it rhymes with eye.
Long I as in kite. That is the correct pronunciation as it is a German name, with the Swedish/Norweigan version being Kaj.
I would pronounce it with the long I as in kite.
Love it!
I know a few Kai's, none are Hawaiian or Asian, so if he's not--I woulvnt sweat it.
In Ancient Greek, Kai (και) is a conjunction meaning "and"
In Basque, Kai is a common word meaning "pier of a harbour" and a variant of the first name Kaio (from the old Latin name Caius)
In Burmese, Kai means "strong" or "unbreakable"
In Chinese, Kai is a common given name with O. of several meanings, most often "victory" (凯)
In Cornish, Kai means "dog", and is often used as a dog name
In Estonian, Kai is a female name meaning "pier"
In Finnish, Kai is a common male name, Finnish form of Kaj. The term "kai" also means "probably" in Finnish
In Hawaiian, Kai means "ocean" or "ocean water"
In Hmong, Kai is a male name that is sometimes spelled Kha
In Japanese, Kai has a number of meanings, including "ocean" (海), "shell" (貝), "restoration" and "recovery." [1][2]
In Māori, Kai means "food"
In Navajo, Kai means willow tree.
In North Germanic languages, Kai means "keeper of the keys; earth". In Germanic languages, Kai means "quay" or "safe harbor"
In Scottish, Kai means "fire"
In Swahilli, Kai means "loveable", and is given to a baby girl.
In Tagalog, Kai is an abbreviated version of the word "kaibigan", which means "friend"
In Urdu, Kai is short for "Kainat", meaning "universe". It is usually a nickname, though it can be a real name too. Other nicknames for the same name may include Kaiskii, Kaina and Kaiya
In Welsh, Kai is a popular given name normally spelt Cai, from the Arthurian legend of Sir Kay
In Wolof (Senegalese language) kai means "come"
In Northern Ireland, data indicated that Kai experienced a significant rise in popularity as a male given name from 2002 to 2003. It has become popular in the UK, with many children born in the mid to late 1990s given the name. While it is typically a male given name, in recent years it has become popular among females as well.[3]
My nephew is Kai (as in Kite). My best friend's youngest is also Kai (as in Kite). ANOTHER friend's son is also Kai (as in Kite). My point is that I've come across the name Kai a bunch of times (it's actually a common name in many cultures) and I've never heard it pronounced Kay.
Long I. I dont like really unusual names very often bc I think it makes it difficult on the child but I do like Kai. Are you Asian though? Alexander doesn't sound it. If you're not, have to say may seem a bit odd and like you're trying too hard to be different. Sorry. Just my opinion.
Eta: I take the Asian assumption back. Very interesting it's multi national.
I would say it so that it rhymed with "bye."
A friend has a daughter Kaia (named in honor of a man named Kai) and I went to high school with a guy named Kai. I like the name.
I only see one way to pronounce this Kai long I. Maybe that's cause I have a friend that name her son this name I think it means ocean or sky in Japanese can't recall. Love the name though
Long I. My friends sons name is Kai. Love it!
K- rhymes with eye. I like it by the way if you're wondering.
Long I as in Kite. It's a beautiful name! I wish I had a boy because I'd use that name in a heartbeat!
Congratulations!
KI with a long I. I have never heard of Kai being pronounced with a long A. It might be a problem if you are interested in the KA pronunciation.
I would say it like they did for Kai Winn or Kai Opaka on Deep Space Nine.
(Kai rhymes with sigh).
For that series, Kai (or The Kai, like The Pope, is a title of their primary religious community leader.
You also get Kai as in kaizer - any of the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire ###-###-####), of Austria (1804-1918), or of Germany (1871-1918) - which is a German-ized Caesar.
ai is indeed pronounced as "ay" like rain or pain or stain. However, Kai would be seen as rhyming with bye. I wouldn't worry. Cute name.
He will spell it his entire life, no matter how you pronounce it.
Like Kai Ryssdal from Marketplace on NPR :) Rhymes with my. Love the name!
