Kei Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Kei is a Japanese name that means precious or blessing, derived from characters that signify value and favor. It evolved from traditional Japanese use and has become popular in modern contexts. The name reflects positive traits and has no biblical relevance, with variants such as Kay and Keiichi.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Kei"
Pronunciation
/keɪ/
Origin
Japanese
Etymology
The name Kei is derived from the Japanese characters '圭' meaning 'jade' or 'precious' and '恵' meaning 'blessing' or 'favor'. It can also be associated with various other characters that have different meanings.
Meaning
precious, blessing
Language Evolution
Kei (Japanese), Kei (transliterated form)
Historical Usage
The name Kei has been used in Japan for centuries and has gained popularity in various forms in both traditional and modern contexts, especially among younger generations.
Variants & Derivatives
Kay, Keiichi, Keiko
Modern Popularity & Image
In contemporary times, Kei is seen as a modern and trendy name, often associated with positive qualities such as beauty and grace.
Famous People
Kei Nishikori (professional tennis player), Kei Kobayashi (notable artist)
📊 Kei Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Kei Name Visualizations
✨ Kei Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 40 peak births in 2015
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Kei" - Complete Guide (6 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Kei". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 6 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Kei" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Kei"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Kei"
"Kei" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 6241st of 7545 | 13 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7360th of 10718 | 23 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5577th of 16616 | 120 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5912th of 24088 | 204 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 4388th of 23106 | 277 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 13184th of 19264 | 21 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 11006th of 27321 | 80 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 17542nd of 35406 | 55 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 18924th of 30306 | 30 |
Regional Popularity of "Kei" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - |
71.80% 820th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - |
53.79% 3398th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - |
67.40% 5030th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - |
39.32% 2468th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Kei" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Kei"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Kei" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Kei" in the United States
The name Kei is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Kei has been stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Kei' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 6241st out of 7545 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7360th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5577th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5912th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 4388th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 13184th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 11006th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 17542nd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 18924th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Kei' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.