Kali Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Kali is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Kali?
Kali is spelled K-A-L-I. The name has 4 letters.
Kali at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- Kali may derive from the Sanskrit word meaning “black” or “time.”
- Origin
- Kali is commonly associated with Hindu culture and mythology.
- Pronunciation
- KAH-lee · 2 syllables
Kali Popularity in 2025
Rank#323
Recorded Births948
Rank#4,249
Recorded Births24
- Girls usage fell 28 places to #323 and recorded 125 fewer births compared with 2024.
- Boys usage fell 49 places to #4,249 and recorded 1 fewer birth compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Kali Mean?
Kali may derive from the Sanskrit word meaning “black” or “time.”
Origin: Kali is commonly associated with Hindu culture and mythology.
How Do You Pronounce Kali?
PronunciationKAH-lee
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Kali?
- History
- The name Kali appears in Indian religious texts and iconography as that of a goddess.
Kali Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2014 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 948 | #323 |
| 2025 | Boys | 24 | #4,249 |
| 2024 | Girls | 1,073 | #295 |
| 2024 | Boys | 25 | #4,200 |
| 2023 | Girls | 1,072 | #290 |
| 2023 | Boys | 29 | #3,802 |
| 2022 | Girls | 1,228 | #250 |
| 2022 | Boys | 29 | #3,774 |
| 2021 | Girls | 1,123 | #284 |
| 2021 | Boys | 43 | #2,862 |
| 2020 | Girls | 1,181 | #253 |
| 2020 | Boys | 43 | #2,806 |
| 2019 | Girls | 1,312 | #241 |
| 2019 | Boys | 41 | #2,943 |
| 2018 | Girls | 1,208 | #274 |
| 2018 | Boys | 32 | #3,446 |
| 2017 | Girls | 1,089 | #302 |
| 2017 | Boys | 37 | #3,123 |
| 2016 | Girls | 1,086 | #300 |
| 2016 | Boys | 34 | #3,293 |
| 2015 | Girls | 1,187 | #267 |
| 2015 | Boys | 30 | #3,591 |
| 2014 | Girls | 1,260 | #261 |
| 2014 | Boys | 24 | #4,138 |
When Was Kali Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2019 · Girls
1,312 recorded births
National rank #241
2014 · Girls
1,260 recorded births
National rank #261
2022 · Girls
1,228 recorded births
National rank #250
2018 · Girls
1,208 recorded births
National rank #274
Where Kali Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| MS | #89 | 24 |
| SC | #163 | 29 |
| DE | #167 | 5 |
| LA | #181 | 23 |
| GA | #187 | 56 |
| NC | #192 | 56 |
| MD | #201 | 25 |
| OH | #235 | 47 |