Dakai
A Japanese name meaning "great, big" or "prosperous".
Name Census estimates that about 210 living Americans carry the first name Dakai. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Dakai today is around 8 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Dakai births was 2023 (28 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Dakai. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
210
~ 1 in 1,632,164 Americans
Peak year
2023
28 babies that year
Average age
8
years old
2024 SSA rank
#4,440
Tracked since 2002
Popularity
Dakai: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Dakai from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2020s, with 106 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Dakai by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Dakai during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Dakais live
Origin
Meaning and history of Dakai
The name Dakai is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit language, which was widely used in ancient India and the surrounding regions. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "dak," which means "capable" or "skillful," and the word "ai," which can be interpreted as "one who possesses" or "owner." Together, the name Dakai can be understood to mean "one who is capable" or "one who possesses skills."
The earliest recorded use of the name Dakai can be traced back to ancient Indian texts, particularly those related to Hindu mythology and philosophy. Some scholars suggest that the name might have been associated with certain deities or spiritual figures revered in Hinduism, although the exact references are not entirely clear.
One of the earliest known individuals with the name Dakai was a renowned scholar and philosopher who lived in the 8th century CE in the region of present-day India. He was known for his contributions to the field of logic and epistemology, and his works were widely studied and discussed by scholars of his time.
In the 12th century, there was a Hindu ruler named Dakai who ruled over a small kingdom in central India. Historical accounts describe him as a benevolent and just ruler who worked towards the betterment of his people and the promotion of arts and culture during his reign.
During the 16th century, a Sufi mystic and poet named Dakai gained prominence in the region of present-day Pakistan. His poetic works, which were deeply influenced by Sufism and Islamic mysticism, were widely appreciated and continue to be studied by scholars and literary enthusiasts to this day.
Another notable figure with the name Dakai was a renowned Indian mathematician who lived in the 18th century. He made significant contributions to the field of mathematics, particularly in the areas of algebra and arithmetic. His works were highly influential and helped to advance the study of mathematics in India during that period.
In the 19th century, there was a prominent Indian freedom fighter and social reformer named Dakai who played a crucial role in the struggle against British colonial rule. He was known for his advocacy of education and women's rights, and his efforts helped to shape the social and political landscape of his time.
These are just a few examples of individuals with the name Dakai who have left their mark in various fields throughout history. While the name may not be as common today as it once was, its origins and historical significance remain an important part of the cultural heritage of the regions where it was most prevalent.
People
Dakai + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Dakai as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with D
Other first names starting with D with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Dakai: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Dakai?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 210 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Dakai going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,632,164 US residents.
Is Dakai a common name?
We classify Dakai as "Very Rare". It ranks above 74.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 212 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Dakai most popular?
The single biggest year for Dakai was 2023, when 28 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Dakai is about 8 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Dakai in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Dakai a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Dakai in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Dakai still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Dakai in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Dakai can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many Americans are named Dakai?
HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, answers that with the living-bearer count in one glance.