Given name & surname
Kaj
“of the earth”
Kaj is used as a given name and a surname. One Scandinavian interpretation is “of the earth.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
One Scandinavian interpretation is “of the earth.”
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Scandinavian.
How it developed
Kaj is a variant of Kai. The shared background comes through Kai: For the European form, proposed connections include an Old Norse word for a hen or chicken and the Roman name Gaius. Neither explanation is certain.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1956. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Kaj through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 515
- 515 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 2006
- 20 babies
- 2025
- 5
- #12,947 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −19%
- Easing
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 5 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 12,947 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 18.5% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 602 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Kaj’s family of names
In Danish usage, Kaj has a later derivative in Kai. In Danish usage, Kaj has a related form in Cai. In German usage, Kaj has a related form in Kai.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Around the world
Kaj has relatives in 5 languages. Lines run from its Old Norse roots to each of them.
3 related names in 5 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 3
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
People named Kaj
- Kaj Leo JohannesenPrime Minister of the Faroe Islands from 2008 until 2015 and former soccer and handball playerborn 1964
- Tapio RautavaaraFinnish athletics competitor, recording artist; singer and film actor1915–1979
- Kaj MunkDanish playwright (1898–1944)
- Kaj FranckFinnish artist and designer (1911–1989)
- Kaj HendriksDutch rowerborn 1987
- Kaj SierhuisDutch association football playerborn 1998
- Kaj RamsteijnDutch footballerborn 1990
- Kaj Leo í BartalsstovuFaroese footballerborn 1991
- Kaj HansenDanish footballer (1940-2009)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Kaj, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Lasse
Lasse is used as a given name and a surname. Lasse is connected with Laurence.
>99% boys
Ronak
“a powerful man”
84% boys · 16% girls
Tyke
“one who is determined”
>99% boys
Trygg
“one who speaks the truth”
>99% boys
Joren
“one who works the earth; a farmer” · “farmer”
>99% boys
Ericson
“the son of Eric”
>99% boys
Frey
Frey is a surname.
>99% boys
Gleb
“god's heir”
>99% boys