Find out how popular the first name Kaj has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kaj by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Kaj is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 8 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kaj.

The history of the first name Kaj

The name Kaj originated from Scandinavia, particularly in Sweden and Denmark. It is a Nordic name derived from the Old Norse word "ká" or "kár", which means "to rejoice" or "to celebrate". The name first appeared in written records during the Viking Age, around the 8th to 11th centuries.

In ancient Norse mythology, Kaj was the name of a minor deity associated with fertility and joy. This connection to ancient pagan beliefs likely contributed to the name's early popularity among Nordic peoples.

One of the earliest documented instances of the name Kaj can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, a collection of historical narratives written in the 13th century. Specifically, the Saga of Erik the Red mentions a character named Kaj Óláfsson, who was a prominent landowner in Greenland during the 11th century.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Kaj remained relatively common in Scandinavia, particularly among the nobility and upper classes. A notable example is Kaj Lykke, a Danish nobleman and military leader who lived from 1598 to 1661. He played a significant role in the Danish-Swedish wars during the 17th century.

During the Renaissance period, the name Kaj gained popularity in other parts of Europe as well. One of the most famous individuals with this name was Kaj Munksgaard, a Danish printer and publisher born in 1858. He founded the renowned Munksgaard publishing house, which specialized in academic and scientific literature.

In more recent history, Kaj Franck, a Finnish designer and sculptor born in 1911, gained international recognition for his iconic glassware and ceramics designs. He is considered one of the leading figures in Finnish modernist design.

Another notable bearer of the name Kaj was Kaj Munk, a Danish playwright, pastor, and outspoken critic of the Nazi regime during World War II. He was born in 1898 and tragically executed by the Gestapo in 1944 for his resistance activities.

While the name Kaj has its roots in Scandinavia, it has also been adopted in other parts of the world, particularly among those with Nordic heritage or connections. For example, Kaj Stenvall, a Swedish-American ice hockey player born in 1951, had a successful career in the National Hockey League.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kaj was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kaj, please contact us.

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