How to say it
ma · KAI
məˈkaɪ
Masculine
Makai
Toward the sea
What it means
Hawaiian, 'toward the sea,' a direction word used as a name.
Makai means 'toward the sea' in Hawaiian, the word islanders use for the ocean side of any place. Easygoing and coastal, it rides the same Kai sound that parents love, with a built-in sense of waves and open water. It has climbed steadily on the mainland. Said muh-KY.
How to spell Makai
The standard spelling is Makai. Common variants include Makae, Mekai, Makaii, but Makai is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #481 in 2025, currently #481 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
- Spelling
Hawaiian for 'toward the sea'; shares the Kai sound.
- Pronunciation
muh-KY.
Spelling variants
- Makae
- Mekai
- Makaii
Names with the same feeling
See Makai from another angle
By meaning
Common questions
- What does the name Makai mean?
- Hawaiian, 'toward the sea,' a direction word used as a name.
- What does Makai mean in Hawaiian?
- In Hawaiian, Makai means "Toward the sea." Makai means 'toward the sea' in Hawaiian, the word islanders use for the ocean side of any place. Easygoing and coastal, it rides the same Kai sound that parents love, with a built-in sense of waves and open water. It has climbed steadily on the mainland. Said muh-KY.
- How do you pronounce Makai?
- Makai is pronounced məˈkaɪ. Say it as ma-KAI, with the stress on the "kai" syllable.
- How do you spell Makai?
- The standard spelling is Makai. Common spelling variants include Makae, Mekai, Makaii.
- Is Makai a boy or girl name?
- Makai is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Makai?
- Makai ranked #481 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.