Cai
Every Cai since 1989 — 1,945 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cai
Cai is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,113 in 2025 with 69 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1989, 1,945 American babies have been named Cai — about 75% boys and 25% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2022, when 131 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Cai stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cai year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | #8,457 | 69 | #2,113 |
| 2024 | 18 | #6,445 | 83 | #1,905 |
| 2023 | 25 | #5,155 | 86 | #1,852 |
| 2022 | 23 | #5,496 | 108 | #1,612 |
| 2021 | 24 | #5,263 | 87 | #1,803 |
| 2020 | 38 | #3,789 | 66 | #2,118 |
| 2019 | 28 | #4,791 | 66 | #2,152 |
| 2018 | 21 | #5,821 | 65 | #2,149 |
| 2017 | 25 | #5,211 | 68 | #2,052 |
| 2016 | 34 | #4,271 | 82 | #1,830 |
| 2015 | 25 | #5,322 | 82 | #1,816 |
| 2014 | 21 | #6,026 | 71 | #2,003 |
| 2013 | 21 | #6,057 | 55 | #2,305 |
| 2012 | 23 | #5,744 | 54 | #2,361 |
| 2011 | 27 | #5,091 | 39 | #2,954 |
| 2010 | 9 | #11,434 | 38 | #3,023 |
| 2009 | 16 | #7,746 | 41 | #2,904 |
| 2008 | 15 | #8,194 | 39 | #3,008 |
| 2007 | 10 | #10,966 | 29 | #3,609 |
| 2006 | 10 | #10,734 | 23 | #4,118 |
| 2005 | 12 | #8,998 | 29 | #3,396 |
| 2004 | 14 | #7,905 | 27 | #3,464 |
| 2003 | 8 | #11,498 | 25 | #3,546 |
| 2002 | 9 | #10,379 | 20 | #4,061 |
| 2001 | 5 | #15,767 | 17 | #4,506 |
| 2000 | 7 | #12,005 | 16 | #4,610 |
| 1995 | — | — | 6 | #7,928 |
| 1990 | — | — | 10 | #5,037 |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Cai
- Cai Lun Inventor · 48–121
- Cai Yan Writer · 177–250
- Cai Yong Politician · 133–192
- Cai Yuanpei Politician · 1868–1940
- Cai E Politician · 1882–1916
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Cai in 2025?
Cai ranked #2,113 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 69 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Cai?
1,945 babies have been named Cai in the United States since 1989, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cai most popular?
Cai peaked in 2022, when 131 newborns received the name.
Is Cai a boy or girl name?
Cai is used for both: about 25% of babies named Cai have been girls and 75% boys.
Is the name Cai rising or falling?
Cai is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Cai?
Well-known people named Cai include Cai Lun (inventor), Cai Yan (writer), Cai Yong (politician).