Find out how popular the last name Kaikai is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Kaikai.

Kaikai, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Kaikai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kaikai in America

Kaikai is the 126765th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kaikai surname appeared 135 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Kaikai.

The history of the last name Kaikai

The surname KAIKAI originated in the Pacific Islands, specifically in the Marquesas Islands, which are a group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia. The name dates back to the early 16th century, when European explorers first encountered the indigenous Polynesian population.

KAIKAI is derived from the Marquesan language, where it means "to eat" or "to consume." It is believed to have been a descriptive name given to individuals who had a hearty appetite or were known for their love of food and feasting.

In the early records of the Marquesas Islands, the name KAIKAI can be found in various forms, such as "Kaikaiu" or "Kaikaihau," reflecting the fluid nature of spelling and pronunciation in the oral traditions of the time.

One of the earliest documented references to the name KAIKAI comes from the journals of the Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen, who visited the Marquesas Islands in 1722. In his accounts, he mentions encountering a chief named Kaikaihau, suggesting that the name was already in use among the local population.

As the Marquesas Islands became integrated into the French colonial empire in the 19th century, the name KAIKAI began to appear in official records and documents. One notable figure bearing this surname was Kaikaipotu KAIKAI, a prominent chief and negotiator who played a crucial role in the island's relations with French authorities in the mid-1800s.

Another individual with the KAIKAI surname was Tematahui KAIKAI, a Marquesan artist and wood carver who lived in the late 19th century. His intricate woodcarvings depicting traditional Marquesan motifs and designs are highly regarded and can be found in various museums and private collections.

In the early 20th century, Matataikamau KAIKAI, a Marquesan scholar and linguist, made significant contributions to preserving and documenting the language and cultural heritage of the islands. His work helped to ensure the survival of Marquesan traditions in the face of rapid societal changes.

Towards the latter half of the 20th century, Temeii KAIKAI, a Marquesan writer and poet, gained recognition for his poetic works that explored themes of identity, heritage, and the complexities of life in the modern Pacific Islands.

It is worth noting that while the surname KAIKAI is most commonly associated with the Marquesas Islands, it has also been adopted by individuals from other parts of French Polynesia and the broader Pacific region, reflecting the interconnected nature of island communities and cultural exchanges.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kaikai

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Kaikai.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Kaikai was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!