Kaipo
Hawaiian name possibly derived from the term "ka ipu," meaning "the vessel."
Name Census estimates that about 466 living Americans carry the first name Kaipo. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Kaipo today is around 28 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Kaipo births was 1994 (16 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Kaipo. 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
466
~ 1 in 735,524 Americans
Peak year
1994
16 babies that year
Average age
28
years old
2024 SSA rank
#8,625
Tracked since 1972
Popularity
Kaipo: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Kaipo from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 112 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1990s peak, Kaipo remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kaipo 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 Kaipo during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Kaipos live
Origin
Meaning and history of Kaipo
The name Kaipo has its origins in the Hawaiian language and culture. It is a male given name that was popular in ancient Hawaii, particularly during the time before Western contact and colonization.
Kaipo is derived from the Hawaiian words "kai," meaning ocean or sea, and "po," meaning night or darkness. Together, the name can be interpreted as "night sea" or "dark sea." This evocative meaning likely reflects the deep connection between the Hawaiian people and the surrounding ocean, which played a central role in their way of life and cultural traditions.
While the exact origin and earliest usage of the name Kaipo are obscure, it is believed to have been in use for centuries among the indigenous Hawaiian population. The name may have held particular significance for families or clans closely tied to fishing, seafaring, or other ocean-related activities.
In the historical records and oral traditions of ancient Hawaii, there are accounts of individuals bearing the name Kaipo. One notable example is Kaipo-a-Peleioholani, a high-ranking chief and skilled navigator who lived in the late 18th century. He was known for his expertise in traditional Hawaiian wayfinding and his role in the voyages between the Hawaiian Islands.
Another historical figure with the name Kaipo was Kaipo Kinimaka, a prominent Hawaiian scholar and educator who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was instrumental in preserving and documenting Hawaiian language, culture, and traditions during a period of significant change and external influence.
During the 19th century, the name Kaipo also appeared among Hawaiian families who embraced Christianity and adopted Western names. One example is Kaipo Wilcox, a Native Hawaiian minister and teacher who played a role in the spread of Christianity in Hawaii in the 1800s.
In the realm of Hawaiian music and dance, Kaipo Ku'ikawahine was a renowned hula master and composer who lived from 1875 to 1963. He was celebrated for his contributions to preserving and promoting traditional Hawaiian hula and chant.
Another notable figure from the 20th century was Kaipo Schwab, a Native Hawaiian athlete and coach who excelled in various sports, including football and boxing. He was born in 1915 and played a significant role in promoting athletic programs and opportunities for Hawaiian youth.
While the name Kaipo has deep historical roots and cultural significance in Hawaii, it is relatively uncommon in modern times, particularly outside of the Hawaiian Islands. However, its enduring presence reflects the preservation and continuation of Hawaiian naming traditions and the rich cultural heritage it represents.
People
Kaipo + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Kaipo as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with K
Other first names starting with K with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Kaipo: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Kaipo?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 466 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Kaipo 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 735,524 US residents.
Is Kaipo a common name?
We classify Kaipo as "Very Rare". It ranks above 83.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 479 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Kaipo most popular?
The single biggest year for Kaipo was 1994, when 16 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Kaipo is about 28 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Kaipo a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Kaipo 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.
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.