I adore this brief name for its incredible multiculturalism. It has so many meanings in so many different languages! Welsh: "keeper of the keys;" Hawaiian: "the sea;" Scandinavian/Old Norse, Finnish, & German: "hen;" Scottish: "fire;" Chinese: "victorious;" New Zealand Maori: "food;" Japanese: "organization, the way" It is also a form of Latin Gaius and of Kay from Arthurian legend. I can't think of any other name with such diverse linguistic roots, and it's just 3 letters! The name appeals to me as a linguist, and I also think it sounds beautiful.
Kai is simple and soft, but seems to have a powerful undertone.
(pronounced to rhyme with "guy") my brother's name. Short and unfortunately becoming more common, but I like the way it sounds. Origin unknown, may be Celtic. Can also be female, but it "feels" male to me ;-)
Kai is a Scandinavian form of Gaius, and is very popular in Germany. Gaius is a Roman name of uncertain etymology. Another form, Cai, was used for the foster-brother of King Arthur in Arthurian legend. See Also: Cai, Caius