How to say it
KA · ia
ˈkaɪ.ə
Feminine
Kaia
Pure, or 'sea'
What it means
Two roots converged: Greek Katherine ('pure,' via the Scandinavian Kaia diminutive) and Hawaiian/Maori kai ('sea, ocean'). Kaia Gerber the model (daughter of Cindy Crawford) is the dominant modern anchor.
Kaia has multiple roots that converged in modern English use. The Scandinavian Kaia is a diminutive of Katherine (Greek katharos, 'pure'). The Hawaiian and Maori kai means 'sea' or 'ocean'; in some Pacific languages it also means 'food.' The Estonian Kaia is a feminine form of Kai. Kaia Gerber (born 2001, daughter of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber), the American model and actress, is the dominant English-language anchor; she walked her first runway at 16 and was Vogue's Model of the Year in 2018. As a US given name Kaia entered the top 500 in 2014 and the top 200 by 2019. Single short; Kaia is already a short.
How to spell Kaia
The standard spelling is Kaia. Common variants include Kaiya, Kaya, Kya, but Kaia is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #180 in 2024, currently #193 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pop culture
Kaia Gerber (born 2001, Cindy Crawford's daughter) is the dominant English-language model-and-actress anchor for the name's rise.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Kaia Gerber American model, daughter of Cindy Crawford, born 2001
Spelling variants
- Kaiya
- Kaya
- Kya
Names with the same feeling
See Kaia from another angle
By meaning
Common questions
- What does the name Kaia mean?
- Two roots converged: Greek Katherine ('pure,' via the Scandinavian Kaia diminutive) and Hawaiian/Maori kai ('sea, ocean'). Kaia Gerber the model (daughter of Cindy Crawford) is the dominant modern anchor.
- What does Kaia mean in Greek?
- In Greek, Kaia means "Pure, or 'sea'." Kaia has multiple roots that converged in modern English use. The Scandinavian Kaia is a diminutive of Katherine (Greek katharos, 'pure'). The Hawaiian and Maori kai means 'sea' or 'ocean'; in some Pacific languages it also means 'food.' The Estonian Kaia is a feminine form of Kai. Kaia Gerber (born 2001, daughter of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber), the American model and actress, is the dominant English-language anchor; she walked her first runway at 16 and was Vogue's Model of the Year in 2018. As a US given name Kaia entered the top 500 in 2014 and the top 200 by 2019. Single short; Kaia is already a short.
- Is Kaia short for Katherine?
- Yes. Kaia is a short form of Katherine, and it carries the same meaning, "Pure, or 'sea'." These days many parents use Kaia as a given name in its own right, not only as a nickname.
- How do you pronounce Kaia?
- Kaia is pronounced ˈkaɪ.ə. Say it as KA-ia, with the stress on the "ka" syllable.
- How do you spell Kaia?
- The standard spelling is Kaia. Common spelling variants include Kaiya, Kaya, Kya.
- Is Kaia a boy or girl name?
- Kaia is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Kaia?
- Kaia ranked #193 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.