Welsh boy name
Cai Name Meaning, Origin & Pronunciation
Cai means rejoice. The Welsh form of Kay, the Arthurian knight, perhaps from the Latin Gaius, meaning rejoice
Cai is the Welsh original of the Arthurian knight Sir Kay, who appears in some of the earliest Welsh Arthurian tales such as Culhwch and Olwen, where he is a companion of Arthur. The name is often traced back to the Latin Gaius, meaning rejoice. It is short, bright and friendly, and has been rising in popularity in Wales and England. It is very close to the Hawaiian Kai, which is on this site, though the sources are unrelated. Cai pairs well with Welsh surnames.
Variants of Cai
KaiKayCaio
Cai popularity: Ireland vs the US
In 2023 Cai ranked #625 in Ireland (4 babies) and #2,113 in the US (69 babies). It is far more popular in Ireland than in America.
Ireland (boys)United States (boys)
Rank among babies of the same sex, 1 = most popular (log scale). Ranks below #10,000 sit on the bottom edge. Gaps mean fewer than 3 Irish or 5 US babies that year.
Data: US Social Security Administration (public domain) and Central Statistics Office, Ireland (CC BY 4.0). Irish accented spellings (such as Síle) are only recorded from 2018, so earlier years combine spellings.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cai mean?
Cai means "rejoice". The Welsh form of Kay, the Arthurian knight, perhaps from the Latin Gaius, meaning rejoice.
How do you pronounce Cai?
Cai is pronounced KYE.
What is the origin of Cai?
Cai is of Welsh origin. The Welsh form of Kay, the Arthurian knight, perhaps from the Latin Gaius, meaning rejoice.