Do you like Kai or Kaj?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2006
Do you like Kai or Kaj?
11
Tue, 09-12-2006 - 12:46pm

A family first name in my husband's family is Kaj, it is his father's and brother's middle name. I like the name, but I know that people will mispronouce it. It is pronounced like Kai (rhymes with bye and rye). What do y'all think about this name? I would hate to change the spelling since it is a family name. I am considering it for either first or middle name.

becco

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2004
Tue, 09-12-2006 - 2:16pm

Well, I usually dislike unconventional spellings, because of what you said...he'll always be correcting people. But since it's a family name, I'd leave the spelling alone. Changing the spelling changes the name, IMO. Others may disagree.


Our next door neighbor (8 years old) is named Kai, but that's the only child I've ever heard with the name. I like it for a first name, but if you don't want to change the spelling and are worried about it, it would make a great mn too (and the family spelling won't be much of an issue). Good luck deciding!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2001
Tue, 09-12-2006 - 3:09pm
It's okay... I think it sounds a little "soft" for a male name, but I don't really like it for a girl either... I don't know, I'm on the fence about it, b/c I really like how it sounds, but it also seems very-- well, both ethereal and ethnic... I don't know, I picture it being the name of a foreigner, or the name of a Japanamation character- neither connotation is "negative" though... just what I see in my head, lol... I think I like it spelled Kai better, b/c I could understand running into a lot of people mispronouncing Kaj...
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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-16-2004
Tue, 09-12-2006 - 3:12pm

Kaj is common here in Sweden and I wouldn't change the spelling and how the

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 09-12-2006 - 7:30pm

I know a few guys named Kai (this spelling). The area where I live has a lot of Scandinavian heritage and the name has been passed down for generations.

Since it's a family name, I'd keep the original spelling. Some people will mispronounce it either way (the mispronunciation I hear most often rhymes with hay).


iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2003
Tue, 09-12-2006 - 10:42pm

Becco-


My step father's name is Kaj, he's from Denmark.


I'm used to it being a male name...though people who don't know him tend to mispronounce it like the "Kash" part of "cashmere" as in sweater if you know what I mean.


Anyway - if you are ok with that (which it certainly wouldn't be the first name I know that people mispronounce!) then I say go with it - very cool and unique IMO.


Suzanne


DS 12-14-04
EDD#2 1-19-07

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-01-2003
Wed, 09-13-2006 - 12:47pm

I don't care for it -either spelling, sorry

middle name maybe

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
Wed, 09-13-2006 - 5:00pm

If you use it as a middle name, I would keep the spelling Kaj.

If you use it as a first name, I would use the spelling Kai.

I know that Kai is a Swedish name and also Native American name (there is a restaurant here on the Gila River reservation named Kai).

Would you use it for a boy or a girl?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2006
Thu, 09-14-2006 - 9:09am

I would be using this as a boy's name.

In this case, DH's father's family is Danish. There are some other interesting names. My DH middle name is Leif (pronounced "life"). I like that one too, although he would be called "leaf" all the time...

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-30-2006
Thu, 09-14-2006 - 3:25pm
If it's a family name...I'd keep the spelling Kaj. Because if that's the reason you've chosen the name, it only makes sense to keep the same spelling. It would go nicely for a first or middle name. I've known a girl named Kaj, but I think it sounds good for either a boy or a girl.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-29-2006
Thu, 09-21-2006 - 12:14pm
I dont like it just because of someone I knew with the name. Also its kind of plain. How can someone have lots of personality with a name as simple as Kaj.

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