The name Kai

I came across this name in a magazine for 2 boys. It has Japanese "ka" and "i" but for some reason I still wonder if it is a real (i.e, traditional) Japanese name. Or maybe it is a more modern name? Also, is it just a boy's name or is it a unisex name?

Hope this helps.

http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?1+27182

Kai is not a traditional Japanese name.

The word 'kai' is the Maori word for food. I know it is used in some countries other than New Zealand as a boys name.

For those wondering what kai means in Japanese in reference to sea or ocean, this may be simple way to explain:

Umi (�C is said umi) means sea or ocean in Japanese by this character by itself. Ocean is also written in chararcters ��m=taiyou. A character umi (�C) can be said kai if this character is used with another character such as kaiyou=�C�m which means ocean;�@kaikou=�C�` means a seaport; kaikou=�C�a means deep...etc

In Hawaiian language KAI means sea and sometimes it means water. So if your name is KAI and pronounced KAI and supposed to mean sea, I believe is Hawaiian name.

I am Umi and have a relative with name of Kai. He is a boy 6 yrs. His kanji is for ocean. Mine is for Sea. It is so cute he has a similar but more masculine name meaning as sea is smaller than ocean. I like the name Kai so much. My name is a little old fashion maybe as not too many young girls have the name Umi. My previous boyfriend did not like my name. He wanted me to change to a more trendy name but I think it was not a good idea. My husband likes my name name which I think sounds nice with last name of Fujii so I am happy.
Kai is a strong name. My male friend from Osaka wanted to tease my relative called him like this- "Kai, you are so Shellfish" (like selfish) but the kanji for my relative was for the meaning ocean and not for shellfish.It was a joke and made Kai laugh.

Thanks! All your responses are very helpful!

Oh, also, just curious to know your opinion.....

when you first heard the name Kai, did you think it was a boy name or a girl name?

"when you first heard the name Kai, did you think it was a boy name or a girl name?"

I first heard the name Kai by being told, "Hi, I'm Kai." by a four year old boy, so I guess I can say that I didn't even give it a thought.

Kaiko?

It seems to be a very popular name for boys who have one Japanese parent and one foreign parent!