Kali
- Meaning
- Black in Sanskrit; other nickname origins vary
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What does Kali mean?
Kali means “Black in Sanskrit; other nickname origins vary”.
Kali is a Sanskrit name associated with blackness and with the Hindu goddess Kali. It also occurs in English-language naming as a spelling of Callie or as a nickname for longer names. Those independent routes should not all be assigned the goddess’s identity or Sanskrit meaning.
The intended origin can affect pronunciation as well as meaning. A family using Kali as a shortening of a longer name may explain it differently from a family choosing it within Hindu tradition. Callie is a useful spelling to compare for the English nickname route. Similar letters alone do not establish one shared cultural history.
Nicknames & variations
Explore short forms, spellings, and related names.
Variations & related forms
Related forms and spellings recorded for this name.
How popular is Kali?
United States · 2025Explore how often Kali is used and how its ranking has changed.
- US girls rank
- #323 2025 · #1 is most popular
- Girls named Kali
- 948 Recorded births in 2025
- Change in births
- 11.6% Fewer than 2024
Kali over time
United States · Girls
Recorded births
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Yearly data & usage
Rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys. The summary highlights girls, the most common recorded usage in 2025. Use the chart’s usage selector to explore both categories.
| Year | Usage | US rank | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | #4,318 | 24 |
| 2025 | Girls | #323 | 948 |
| 2024 | Boys | #4,261 | 25 |
| 2024 | Girls | #295 | 1,073 |
| 2023 | Boys | #3,843 | 29 |
| 2023 | Girls | #291 | 1,072 |
| 2022 | Boys | #3,822 | 29 |
| 2022 | Girls | #250 | 1,228 |
| 2021 | Boys | #2,888 | 43 |
| 2021 | Girls | #284 | 1,123 |
| 2020 | Boys | #2,820 | 43 |
| 2020 | Girls | #253 | 1,181 |
| 2019 | Boys | #2,965 | 41 |
| 2019 | Girls | #242 | 1,312 |
| 2018 | Boys | #3,478 | 32 |
| 2018 | Girls | #274 | 1,208 |
| 2017 | Boys | #3,159 | 37 |
| 2017 | Girls | #302 | 1,089 |
| 2016 | Boys | #3,331 | 34 |
| 2016 | Girls | #300 | 1,086 |
| 2015 | Boys | #3,637 | 30 |
| 2015 | Girls | #267 | 1,187 |
| 2014 | Boys | #4,192 | 24 |
| 2014 | Girls | #261 | 1,260 |
Years reflect available birth records. Missing records do not mean zero births.
Names like Kali
Explore the connection, then save your favorites to compare.
Callie
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Meaning depends on the longer name
Listed as a related name to Kali.
Kaliyah
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Modern name; no single established meaning
Listed as a related name to Kali.
Evelyn
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Desired; or water, island
Shares an origin with Kali.
Eliana
Mostly girls- Meaning
- My God has answered; sun
Shares an origin with Kali.
Eleanor
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Uncertain; from Aliénor
Shares an origin with Kali.
Violet
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Purple
Shares an origin with Kali.
Found a few you like?
Save them, then compare up to four names in your shortlist.