Kea

At a Glance

Origin

Uncertain (possibly Hawaiian-inspired coinage)

Gender

Neutral

Pronunciation

KAY-ahListen

Kea is a short, breezy name that works for any gender, pronounced KAY-ah. It has a free-spirited, well-traveled, pared-down feel suited to parents drawn to nature and open horizons. You may have heard it's Hawaiian for 'sea' or 'to rejoice,' but that's not accurate — the only documented source for this spelling is a Greek island in the Cyclades, and the name's real origin is uncertain, possibly a modern Hawaiian-inspired coinage.

Meaning & Origin of Kea

Origin: uncertain (possibly Hawaiian-inspired coinage).

A common claim: Sometimes claimed to be Hawaiian for 'sea' or 'to rejoice.' Actually: Those meanings aren't supported — under this spelling, the name matches a Greek island (Kea, in the Cyclades), unrelated to any Hawaiian root.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Kea

Popularity of Kea

In U.S. Social Security records spanning 1964 to 2022, Kea peaked at rank #2899 in 1978 with 28 babies given the name, and had fallen to rank #11717 by 2022 with just 8.

Names Like Kea

These names share Kea’s style, era or origin.

• Hoku
• Indra
• Kai
• Manu
• Aukai
• Bay

FAQ

What does the name Kea mean?

Sometimes claimed to be Hawaiian for ‘sea’ or ‘to rejoice.’ Those meanings aren’t supported — under this spelling, the name matches a Greek island (Kea, in the Cyclades), unrelated to any Hawaiian root.

How do you pronounce Kea?

Kea is pronounced KAY-ah (IPA: /ˈkeɪə/).

Is Kea a popular name right now?

Kea peaked at #2899 in 1978 and is ranked #11717 as of 2022. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1964–2022.)

Make Kea Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Kea, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.