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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Austin or Kai

64 replies

YourNavyScroller · 01/07/2025 14:28

Name opinions please! I am 9 months pregnant and we have been set on the name Austin for our little boy for a few months. We even got a few personalised bits with the name on and told friends and family. We would be calling him ‘Aussie’ for short (which I love).
We decided to make a short list of 3 or so names just incase he didn’t look like an Austin when he was born and we are really liking the name Kai now also! We love that it means sea/ocean in Hawaii and goes nicely with our last name. The other name we like is Brody but we have just had a nephew called Beaudi so think it would be too similar. Which is nicer: Austin or Kai?

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shoopshoopdedoo · 01/07/2025 22:05

I’m not keen on either, and they have very different vibes to me. I maybe would pick Kai at a push.

Rowen32 · 01/07/2025 21:36

Austin isn't too bad, Aussie is dreadful though, that's just slang for an Australian so would make me think when he's older he got nicknamed that for that reason

SummerCanDoOne · 01/07/2025 21:24

Austin...but that may be because I work with a Kai who is currently the bane of my life!

ScratCat · 01/07/2025 21:22

Although, tbf, if there’s a nephew named Beaudi, Kai goes really well with that whole vibe.

Pinkychilla · 01/07/2025 21:20

I love both those names

Original poster
YourNavyScroller · 01/07/2025 21:04

Moveoverdarlin · 01/07/2025 15:11

Sorry I think Kai is really chavvy.

I’m really suprised so many people have said this! I don’t know anyone called Kai so I assumed it was a more quirky/unique name but clearly I just don’t know a lot of children!😅

OP posts:
Original poster
YourNavyScroller · 01/07/2025 21:02

naomicrobiome · 01/07/2025 18:45

I'm not keen on either, but Kai would be my choice. I like the suggestion of Keanu. The Keanu Reeves association may be inevitable, but he's a lovely person.

What do you think of Koa? This is another K name from Hawaii I’ve heard!

OP posts:
IggyAce · 01/07/2025 20:57

Austin, I like surnames as first names, my ds has one. The Kai I know is awful and definitely falls in the naughty boy category.

Moreteaandchocolate · 01/07/2025 18:58

mathanxiety · 01/07/2025 18:27

I'd say Kai is much harder to age with.

This is possibly because I know a few Austins of all ages, but also because I feel Kai is a really 'surfer dude' name.

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Maybe it depends on where you live and the type of names used locally - Kai is fairly popular round here for boys / teens / younger adults. I don’t know any Austins of any age so it stands out more where I live.

Dandelionsand4leafclover · 01/07/2025 18:56

Not Kai. Not keen on Austin either but I prefer it to Kai.

chunkybear · 01/07/2025 18:49

Kai is awful, chavvy, K name - ug! Austin is more distinguished and fits a child who could grow up to be a plumber or a surgeon, Kai, not so much

reversegear · 01/07/2025 18:47

Austin is fab.. classic car and rugby fan here.

naomicrobiome · 01/07/2025 18:45

I'm not keen on either, but Kai would be my choice. I like the suggestion of Keanu. The Keanu Reeves association may be inevitable, but he's a lovely person.

HobnobsChoice · 01/07/2025 18:40

Kai is a legit/established name in Germany. I'm not a big fan, I'm also learning Greek and every time I see it now I think "and" because the word in Greek is και

PurpleChrayn · 01/07/2025 18:39

They’re both giving 14-year-old trans man, to be honest.

Viviennemary · 01/07/2025 18:37

Austin is a car. It's dire. Kai is a bit modern for me but it's ok. I've just read it's chavvy. I dont know any. So maybe not.

Radionowhere · 01/07/2025 18:33

Kai is chavvy imo

mathanxiety · 01/07/2025 18:27

Moreteaandchocolate · 01/07/2025 16:47

I prefer Kai, although I do know about 3 little ones called Kai. Austin is a bit harder to wear for a teen or adult imo, but not massively so.

I'd say Kai is much harder to age with.

This is possibly because I know a few Austins of all ages, but also because I feel Kai is a really 'surfer dude' name.

lyinginthebathpondering · 01/07/2025 18:14

I associate Kai with very badly behaved children unfortunately

ScratCat · 01/07/2025 17:13

Kai is the chavviest of names. Don’t do it.

ExercicenformedeZ · 01/07/2025 17:11

Austin. Kai is super chavvy.

ResidentPorker · 01/07/2025 16:58

Austin for sure.

NoelFaraday · 01/07/2025 16:58

Kai sounds like you’ll be getting called into the school many times because he’s hit someone.

Kay286 · 01/07/2025 16:50

Moveoverdarlin · 01/07/2025 15:11

Sorry I think Kai is really chavvy.

Agree , can just hear council estate mums shouting out Kai ! Austin is lovely

alexalisten · 01/07/2025 16:48

I love both but if I really had to choose I'd pick Kai its currently my 2nd favourite boy name

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