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

what do british people think of the name Kai?

77 replies

coffeeghost · 30/12/2015 17:30

Heyo!
someone in another thread told me that they think Kai is a nice name if you have a German or Scandinavian background. (which is the case with me) So I don't really know what British people think or rather why they think it's a "chavy" name. How come?

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Sophronia · 30/12/2015 23:42

It's a bit of a middle aged mans name in Germany.

I don't think it's so bad, it reminds me of the Snow Queen.

Poppyclock · 30/12/2015 23:45

Kai means 'food' in New Zealand.

FlippertyJibbit · 30/12/2015 23:55

It has a number of meanings, in a number of different languages/cultures.

In Burmese, Kai means strong or unbreakable.

timelytess · 30/12/2015 23:57

Kai. Michael Gothard. Oliver Tobias's pal in Robin of Sherwood.

Alisvolatpropiis · 31/12/2015 00:02

It's a nicely international name, more and more meaning from different cultures/languages are popping up. That's quite appealing, as the world gets smaller.

timelytess · 31/12/2015 00:03

OK, excuse my last post. Couldn't be more wrong. Arthur of the Britons is a much better place to look.

Sighs. I'm going to have to leave Baby Names. I just can't get it right. Never mind.

I vote for Kai anyway. Even with a K, its not actually common. And it sounds better than Kevin. Which also has a K.

NHKX2 · 31/12/2015 10:42

I would have assumed it was a Hawaiian name based on looking at it. Still don't like it much. Seems an attempt at being exotic when one is not exotic...

TheLowKing · 31/12/2015 12:12

The Kais I've met have all been black or working class white.

What I think of it? It's easy to spell, unlikely to be shortened to anything except "K", and is seen as 'chavvy'.

SilverOldie2 · 31/12/2015 16:21

chavtastic

MissBattleaxe · 31/12/2015 16:37

Yes with a C, means rejoice. I've not met one but haven't met a Kai either, I'm sure boys with both names exist.

I quite like Cai with a C. Rejoice? That's lovely.

Duckdeamon · 31/12/2015 16:40

Wayne rooney.

Cliffdiver · 31/12/2015 16:51

I don't like it, it sounds common.

MoreTeaPenguin · 31/12/2015 16:53

I love it. Though we named DS Kai, so I'm a bit biased due to him being lovely. We liked the Welsh roots, and the connection to another similar name. Don't think we're particularly alternative or chavvy Smile

emilybrontescorset · 01/01/2016 10:53

Sorry try as much as I can to be mutual about it but the only Kai's I know are from very chavvy backgrounds.

FlippertyJibbit · 01/01/2016 12:57

To everyone stating it is a "chavvy" name, please don't tar them all with same brush.

It's not a name that makes a person, it's their personality and their upbringing, their morals and their principles.. I would hate to think a teacher or a potential employer of my DS would form their opinion of him just from reading his name..

tuilamum · 01/01/2016 14:59

Always loved the name Kai, people always judge don't worry about it you'll never please everyone

UninventiveUsername · 01/01/2016 15:00

I think it's a lovely name.

ApollO88 · 01/01/2016 15:30

Isn't it arthorian? Wasn't sir Kai a knight of the round table? I thinks a great name

Alisvolatpropiis · 01/01/2016 15:45

Sir Kay I thought?

BaronessBomburst · 01/01/2016 16:08

I know a Kai. Only his mum wanted an alternative spelling and called him Kay.

Conundrumparpapumpum · 01/01/2016 18:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Conundrumparpapumpum · 01/01/2016 18:34

This reply has been deleted

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IoraRua · 01/01/2016 18:39

Its much better than a lot of frilly posh names that pop up on MN.
Plus there is the Snow Queen link!

MamaLazarou · 03/01/2016 13:15

Sounds like a Northern Irish person saying 'cow'.

GabiSolis · 03/01/2016 15:26

I really don't like it I'm afraid. It's nothing to do with the fact that it's considered 'chav', it's just not a name I like.

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