Kei

Kei is a unisex name of Japanese origin. Its meaning is not recorded in the standard references we check — we would rather tell you that plainly than guess. In 2024 it was given to 22 babies in the United States.

Kei at a glance

Gender
Unisex name
Origin
Japanese
Meaning
Not recorded in standard references

About the name Kei

Kei belongs to the Japanese tradition. Its roots are documented, even though its precise meaning is not recorded in the standard references — an honest gap we prefer to a confident guess.

In the United States, Kei first appears in Social Security records in 1920 and has been given to 823 babies since 1880, including 22 in 2024.

Kei in US records

First recorded (US)
1920
Babies named Kei in 2024
22
Total since 1880
823

Kei in England & Wales records

First recorded (since 1996)
1996
Babies named Kei in 2025
3
Total since 1996
74

Similar names

More names from the Japanese shelf:

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Kei mean?

The meaning of Kei is not recorded in the standard references we check. Rather than repeat an unsourced claim, we leave it open — its Japanese origin is documented, but its exact meaning is not.

Is Kei a boy or girl name?

Kei is a unisex name. In 2024, 22 babies received the name in the US.

What origin is the name Kei?

Kei comes from the Japanese tradition.

How popular is the name Kei?

Kei is uncommon in US records — it first appears in 1920 and has been given to 823 babies since 1880.

Meaning and origin for this page were checked against this source. US popularity figures are from the Social Security Administration's public baby-names data. England & Wales figures are from the Office for National Statistics. If you spot an error, write to [email protected] — accuracy is the whole point of this site, and corrections are made fast.