Kamai first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Kamai has been for the last 19 years (from 2006 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Kamai

A Hawaiian name meaning "the one who works in sustaining life".

Popularity of Kamai by gender

Based on the last 19 years of data, Kamai is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 86% of people named Kamai being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 13 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kamai.

Year Male Count Female Count
2024 13 0
2023 13 5
2022 0 5
2021 11 0
2020 7 0
2019 8 0
2018 6 0
2017 0 6
2016 9 0
2014 5 0
2012 7 0
2009 8 0
2007 6 0
2006 7 0

The history of the first name Kamai

The name Kamai is believed to have its origins in Hawaiian culture, although its exact etymological roots are uncertain. It is thought to be derived from the Hawaiian words ka, meaning "the," and mai, meaning "towards" or "in the direction of," suggesting a possible meaning of "the one coming towards" or "the one in that direction."

In Hawaiian tradition, names often held significant meaning and were carefully chosen to reflect an individual's connection to their ancestors, natural surroundings, or spiritual beliefs. The name Kamai may have been given to children as a way to honor their heritage or express a sense of direction or purpose in life.

While there are no known historical references to the name Kamai in ancient Hawaiian texts or records, it has been documented as a given name in various Hawaiian communities over the centuries. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kamai can be traced back to the late 19th century, when a Hawaiian woman named Kamai Kahookano was born in 1872.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kamai. One of the most prominent was Kamai Dillingham (1885-1962), a prominent Hawaiian businessman and philanthropist who played a significant role in the development of Hawaii's tourism industry and supported various educational and cultural initiatives.

Another notable figure was Kamai Kuahine (1913-1992), a highly respected Hawaiian cultural practitioner and kumu hula (hula teacher) who dedicated her life to preserving and perpetuating the traditional Hawaiian art of hula and chant.

In the field of sports, Kamai Fairbairn (born 1994) is a professional American football player who currently plays as a placekicker for the Houston Texans in the National Football League (NFL).

Kamai Bautista (born 1990) is a Hawaiian actor and model who has appeared in various television shows and films, including the popular Hawaiian-based series "Hawaii Five-0."

Kamai Kaneholani (born 1989) is a Hawaiian musician and songwriter known for her efforts in promoting and revitalizing traditional Hawaiian music and language.

While the name Kamai may not be as common as some other Hawaiian names, it holds a unique place in Hawaiian culture and continues to be used by families seeking to honor their heritage and connect with their island roots.

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 Kamai was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Kamai first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on August 24, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/kamai-meaning-and-history/.

"Kamai first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/kamai-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 24 August, 2025

Kamai first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/kamai-meaning-and-history/.

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