Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

Kai

66 replies

PrettyInDecadence · 07/07/2012 11:25

Is it a bit too Rooney-esque? I love it but have had bad reactions from others towards it. FWIW I've never met a little Kai, so have no preconceptions about the name, I just think it sounds nice!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
spammertime · 07/07/2012 11:29

Sorry I'm afraid the first thing that springs to my mind is the Rooneys. It's not a name that I dislike but it has definitely been tarnished!

usualsuspect · 07/07/2012 11:30

I know a few boys named Kai , I like it

ScroobiousPip · 07/07/2012 11:43

It means 'food' in Maori (eg Kai moana - seafood) so might sound a bit odd to NZers as a name, but not outrageously so. And if you don't plan for your baby to live in NZ then you probably don't need to worry anyway!

ExitPursuedByABear · 07/07/2012 11:45

I never know how it is pronounced.

shelscrape · 07/07/2012 11:47

Oh scroobious..... I've got that children's song "kai moana" and Hiwi the Kiwi going round and round in my head now :)

washngo · 07/07/2012 11:49

I know 3. I think the ones I know were quite possibly named after baby Rooney.

PrettyInDecadence · 07/07/2012 11:50

It's pronounced to rhyme with sky, Exit

OP posts:
SneakyBiscuitEater · 07/07/2012 11:51

I know an adult Kai (early 30s) named after Sir Kai (sometimes written Sir Kay) in Arthurian legend. I don't know any others young or old. He did get a few sniggers in the far east where it sounds the same as the words for chicken and prostitute apparently!

Vicky2011 · 07/07/2012 11:54

To me it says "England flag hanging out the window" BUT my boy has a name which according to these boards is a footballer name, and we love it, he loves it and it suits him so frankly who cares. Go for it... I like it more now I know what it means!

SecondhandRose · 07/07/2012 11:55

To me it is a bit too near the carp but probably OK if you have a very long surname.

maples · 07/07/2012 11:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

jellybeans · 07/07/2012 12:46

I like it.

smokeandglitter · 07/07/2012 14:22

My nephew's called Kai, I think my sister said it was 'Ocean' in Hawiian or something? I love the name, think it's really lovely. Screw the Rooneys, your DS will make the name his own. Grin

Think Kai in Germany is a shortening of Kaiser?

PrettyInDecadence · 07/07/2012 18:05

This is a much better response than I was expecting! DS is Jesse, which often gets mixed reviews on here so I'm not overly bothered what people think, I just don't want a name that has a glaringly obvious connotation IYSWIM?

OP posts:
BeatriceBean · 07/07/2012 18:08

It's in with the Kayden Jayden names in my mind which I personally am not keen on but nothing wrong with it.

BeatriceBean · 07/07/2012 18:08

I like Jesse :-)

Zara1984 · 07/07/2012 18:09

Kai means "food" in Maori. If he ever goes to NZ people will die of laughter at his name. Sorry, just thought I'd point that out Grin

tanmu82 · 07/07/2012 18:12

I know a guy in Germany called Kai and I have a female friend called Kai. I think it's a lovely unisex name, and because I know adults with this name, I never think of the rooney's when I hear it

whatlauradid · 07/07/2012 18:12

I know a lot of Kai's and I'm not fussed. Even without the Rooney undertones it sounds horrible to me.

Pochemuchka · 07/07/2012 18:18

I'm afraid I got put off this name because of the rooneys too but their son was born only a wee bit before my DS.
I ended up giving my son a longer name that has the sound 'Kai' at the beginning and it suits him down to the ground! I really couldn't imagine him being called anything else.

I've never met another one and I get lots of compliments on his name (although mumsnet would probably hate it!)
I think if you like it, go for it. Or if you're not sure, have a look at similar names.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 07/07/2012 18:22

The only Kai I know has a brother called Cruz. Don't like it.

SPsFanjoLovesRussellHoward · 07/07/2012 18:26

I don't know a Kai but its the start of my sons name. same spelling but different pronunciation which was my fault as well as the bloody Rooneys!

I don't mind it as a friend of mine calls my son it as a short form of his name. Don't see her often so I'm not too bothered.

If you like it go for it.

wheniwasoneihadjustbegun · 07/07/2012 19:50

I really like it, sounds very strong and Scandinavian to me. I know it has been associated with the Rooney's recently, but it would be a shame to let that put you off, I doubt they'll be headline news when your son is older.

PorkyandBess · 07/07/2012 19:55

In England it is a very naff name, imo - on a par with Jayden, Kayden etc.

treadonthecracks · 07/07/2012 19:59

I think it might be one of those names where teachers will expect him to be challenging! (not saying they should).