Makai
Makai is a boy's name of Hawaiian origin.
Meaning
Towards the sea; oceanward.
Origin and history
Makai is a Hawaiian name meaning towards the sea or oceanward, derived from the directional term used in the islands. It has experienced a steady rise in popularity in the United States since the late 20th century. Its melodic, vowel-rich sound fits modern U.S. naming trends.
Popularity in the United States
9,298 babies in the United States have been named Makai since 1880. It ranks #1252 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #513.
States where it is most popular
- CA (14.3 %)
- FL (9.1 %)
- NY (6.9 %)
- GA (6.2 %)
- TX (6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 5 |
| 1990-2000 | 145 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,807 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,921 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,420 |
Famous people named Makai
- Makai Mason: Basketball Player
Fun facts
- In the Hawaiian language, 'makai' is traditionally used to give directions toward the ocean, paired with 'mauka' (toward the mountains).
- Makai has seen a significant increase in usage in the U.S. during the 2020s, climbing into the top 600 names for boys.