Elijah vs Kai
Elijah and Kaicompared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.
Head to head
Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2025, Elijah was ranked #7 and Kai #23 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2024, Elijah was ranked #23 and Kai #72 among boys in England and Wales.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Elijah was ranked #97 and Kai #34 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Elijah was ranked #76 and Kai #56 among boys in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Elijah was ranked #57 and Kai #69 among boys in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2019, Elijah was ranked #5591 and Kai #4686 among girls in England and Wales.
Elijah and Kai over time
Elijah and Kai appear together in 4 published lists, across 98 years of shared records. Kai held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Elijah in 1.
The order between them changed and held in 4 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Kai reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 of those lists, and Elijah in none. Each position is a place inside its own list, so this compares when they peaked and never how high.
Counted list by list. Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale in the same year, so those comparisons are real — but positions from different lists are not, so nothing here is combined into an overall standing.
How this pair is related
The relationship kinds these two qualify for, each under its own stated rule. Every one is drawn from a list they both appear in.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2014, Elijah moved ahead of Kai in England and Wales · Boys — #69 and #64 the year before became #53 and #77.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Elijah and Kai changed places 5 times in Northern Ireland · Boys between 1999 and 2024, ending at #57 and #69.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 22 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Elijah and Kai averaged 21.6 places apart, ending at #7 and #23.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Boys within 2 years — Elijah #7 in 2025, Kai #20 in 2023.
List by list
England and Wales · Boys29 shared years, 1996–2024
Elijah held the stronger position in 11 of those years, Kai in 18.
Highest recorded here: Elijah #23 in 2024, Kai #56 in 2003.
The order changed in 2014: Elijah moved ahead. In 2013 they stood at #69 and #64; by 2014 that had become #53 and #77.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Elijah #23, Kai #72.
Republic of Ireland · Boys26 shared years, 2000–2025
Elijah held the stronger position in 1 of those years, Kai in 24.
Highest recorded here: Elijah #97 in 2025, Kai #30 in 2024.
The order changed in 2001: Kai moved ahead. In 2000 they stood at #274 and #312; by 2001 that had become #347 and #226.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Elijah #97, Kai #34.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys22 shared years, 2003–2025
Elijah held the stronger position in 18 of those years, Kai in 4.
Highest recorded here: Elijah #7 in 2025, Kai #20 in 2023.
The order changed in 2009: Elijah moved ahead. In 2008 they stood at #86 and #60; by 2009 that had become #54 and #57.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Elijah #7, Kai #23.
Northern Ireland · Boys21 shared years, 1999–2024
Elijah held the stronger position in 5 of those years, Kai in 14.
Highest recorded here: Elijah #52 in 2023, Kai #52 in 2021.
The order changed in 2024: Elijah moved ahead. In 2023 they stood at #52 and #52; by 2024 that had become #57 and #69.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Elijah #57, Kai #69.
Two names moving past each other in a ranking is a fact about the ranking. Namewise does not claim one name displaced the other, that families chose between them, or that either influenced the other — none of that is in this data.
Where to go next
Comparisons that share a name, a rule or a published list with this one. Each is an existing comparison page with its own evidence — nothing here says these pairs are alike.
Other comparisons involving Elijah
Pairs where Elijah shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Elijah vs Archie
Elijah and Archie both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Elijah · Archie · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Elijah vs Hugo
Elijah and Hugo both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Elijah · Hugo · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Oliver vs Elijah
Oliver and Elijah both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Oliver · Elijah · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Theodore vs Elijah
Theodore and Elijah both rose over the same years in 5 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Theodore · Elijah · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries
Other comparisons involving Kai
Pairs where Kai shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Aksel vs Kai
Aksel and Kai were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #25 and #282.
Aksel · Kai · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
- Anders vs Kai
Anders and Kai were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #293 and #282.
Anders · Kai · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
- Andreas vs Kai
Andreas and Kai were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #96 and #282.
Andreas · Kai · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
- Arne vs Kai
Arne and Kai were both ranked in Norway · Boys for 81 years, from 1945 to 2025, ending at #222 and #282.
Arne · Kai · 81 shared years, 1945–2025 · Longest-running competitions
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — moved together in several countries.
- Christopher vs Paul
Christopher and Paul both fell over the same years in 6 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Norway · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Christopher · Paul · 80 shared years, 1946–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Oliver vs Leo
Oliver and Leo both rose over the same years in 6 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Norway · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Oliver · Leo · 63 shared years, 1959–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Leo vs Oscar
Leo and Oscar both rose over the same years in 6 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Norway · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Leo · Oscar · 57 shared years, 1951–2025 · Moved together in several countries
- Oliver vs Luca
Oliver and Luca both rose over the same years in 6 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; New Zealand · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Norway · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Oliver · Luca · 43 shared years, 1973–2025 · Moved together in several countries
Other pairs ranked together in the 2020s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 2020 and 2029.
- Lily vs Rachael
In 1996 they stood at #85 and #77 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2024 they were #3 and #3318.
Lily · Rachael · 29 shared years, 1996–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Daisy vs Rachael
In 1996 they stood at #71 and #77 in England and Wales · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2024 they were #18 and #3318.
Daisy · Rachael · 29 shared years, 1996–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Rosie vs Rachael
In 1996 they stood at #69 and #77 in England and Wales · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2024 they were #24 and #3318.
Rosie · Rachael · 29 shared years, 1996–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
- Henry vs Ross
In 1996 they stood at #58 and #68 in England and Wales · Boys, 10 places apart; by 2024 they were #14 and #3254.
Henry · Ross · 29 shared years, 1996–2024 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Elijah | Kai |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Traditionally rendered as 'my God is Yahweh', reflecting a common theophoric naming pattern in Hebrew. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ɪˈlaɪdʒə/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 3 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO |
| Most recent popularity observation | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #7 (2025) | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #23 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 88/100 | 95/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Elijah has a recorded origin (Biblical Hebrew); Kai does not have one recorded yet.
- Elijah has 3 syllables, compared with 1 for Kai.
- A meaning is recorded for Elijah; Kai doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE.
How each name got here
Elijah
Popularity journey
First recorded1996
First recorded at #312 among boys in England and Wales in 1996 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
England and Wales · Boys
Highest recorded2003–2025
Highest recorded position: #7 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2025 (recorded 2003–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #7 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2025.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Kai
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #76 among boys in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded2002–2025
Highest recorded position: #20 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2023 (recorded 2002–2025).
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #23 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, in 2025.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys