Baby Name Popularity Profile

Cali

Data-driven SSA statistics, rankings, and historical trends for Cali.

✦ Beautiful 🌍 Greek, English, Sanskrit mythological modern
National Rank (2025) #574
All-Time Peak Rank #202 Achieved 2014
Total U.S. Births 23,342 since 1880
Unisex Distribution 2.0% Boy / 98.0% Girl Overwhelmingly Female
First Recorded 1959 Last seen: 2025
Peak Decade 2010s 1,664 births in 2014
💡 The Cali Vibe: Considered a Modern Trend. A contemporary choice reflecting current cultural naming rhythms and popularity brackets.

🌍 Meaning & Etymology

Primary Meaning Beautiful
Language Origin Greek, English, Sanskrit
Origin Type multiple
Cali has multiple origins: derived from Greek 'kallos' meaning 'beauty'; also used as a diminutive of California; and as a variant of the Sanskrit name Kali, meaning 'black' or 'time'.
Common Nicknames
Cal
Alternative Spellings
Kali Kalli Kalie
Pronunciation: KAL-ee
Themes & Categories
mythological modern
Etymology confidence: Medium · Under review

📖 The Story Behind Cali

According to SSA data, Cali achieved its highest historical rank of #202 in 2014. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 2014 with 1,664 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have decreased by 64.0%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 57 consecutive years.

📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)

Registration footprint of Cali across 145 years of SSA data.

5-Year Trajectory Fast Declining
10-Year Shift -64.0% Decline
18801920196020002025

📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility

Busiest Year on Record 1,664 births in 2014
Years in Top 100 0 yrs
Years in Top 500 18 yrs
Registry Streak 57 yrs
Historical Volatility Highly Volatile
Largest 1-Year Jump N/A
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s: 0
1890s: 0
1900s: 0
1910s: 0
1920s: 0
1930s: 0
1940s: 0
1950s: 6
1960s: 41
1970s: 169
1980s: 715
1990s: 1,651
2000s: 4,549
2010s: 11,486
2020s: 4,725

📐 Sound & Spelling Structure

Phonetic Syllables Ca-li
Letter Count 4 letters
Spelling Complexity Easy
Length Percentile Longer than 1.4% of names
Linguistic Profile: It is an isogram, meaning no two letters are repeated. Longer than 1.4% of SSA names. Starts with C, a letter used by only 5.7% of SSA names.

🛠️ Sibling & Surname Cadence Tool

Enter a surname or sibling name to test how it pairs with Cali.

📍 Authentic State & Regional Rankings

Highest Ranking State Nevada
Top States Nevada, Florida, Georgia, California, Utah
States with Data 49
State 2025 Rank Total Births Peak Year 5-Yr Velocity
Nevada Unranked 179 2011 Insufficient historical volume
Florida #368 1,490 2014 40.5% Decline
Georgia #433 986 2015 65.3% Decline
California #557 3,147 2014 42.0% Decline
Utah #621 249 2008 Insufficient historical volume
Maryland #558 450 2014 Insufficient historical volume
Louisiana #214 534 2014 35.5% Decline
Tennessee #503 621 2014 50.0% Decline
North Carolina #494 794 2018 60.0% Decline
Arizona Unranked 330 2012 Insufficient historical volume
South Carolina #379 361 2014 Insufficient historical volume
Indiana #737 550 2014 Insufficient historical volume
Missouri #603 513 2016 Insufficient historical volume
Delaware Unranked 47 2019 Insufficient historical volume
Ohio #449 1,063 2014 57.6% Decline
Texas #766 1,653 2014 57.6% Decline
Mississippi #187 271 2014 Insufficient historical volume
Arkansas #499 229 2014 Insufficient historical volume
Virginia #580 472 2015 56.7% Decline
Oklahoma #726 281 2014 Insufficient historical volume
Wisconsin #639 410 2014 Insufficient historical volume
Michigan #523 774 2018 65.1% Decline
Kentucky #418 335 2014 Insufficient historical volume
Kansas Unranked 201 2019 Insufficient historical volume
Alabama #536 346 2016 Insufficient historical volume
Colorado #935 196 2014 Insufficient historical volume
New Jersey #543 451 2019 56.2% Decline
Pennsylvania #657 849 2014 69.4% Decline
Connecticut Unranked 173 2017 Insufficient historical volume
Washington #627 247 2014 Insufficient historical volume
Illinois #676 709 2015 56.2% Decline
Massachusetts #571 347 2016 Insufficient historical volume
New York #681 1,032 2014 62.5% Decline
Oregon Unranked 117 2015 Insufficient historical volume
Iowa Unranked 169 2013 Insufficient historical volume
Nebraska Unranked 92 2008 Insufficient historical volume
District of Columbia Unranked 56 2018 Insufficient historical volume
Minnesota Unranked 223 2012 Insufficient historical volume
West Virginia #322 106 2018 Insufficient historical volume
Rhode Island Unranked 31 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Idaho Unranked 29 2016 Insufficient historical volume
Alaska Unranked 10 2012 Insufficient historical volume
New Hampshire Unranked 22 2014 Insufficient historical volume
New Mexico Unranked 37 2015 Insufficient historical volume
North Dakota Unranked 21 2010 Insufficient historical volume
Hawaii Unranked 18 2019 Insufficient historical volume
Montana Unranked 11 2011 Insufficient historical volume
Maine Unranked 12 2009 Insufficient historical volume
South Dakota Unranked 6 2008 Insufficient historical volume

👨‍👩‍👧 Sibling Name Suggestions

👦 Brother Suggestions
Noel Kasen Nasir Arjun Moses Johan Kason Major Gunner Porter
👧 Sister Suggestions
Lexi Nylah Allie Lyric Aubree Oaklyn Ainsley Scarlet Brinley Paislee

🔗 Names You Might Also Like

Based on statistical similarity and shared characteristics with Cali:

Demographic & Volume Peers
Charli Capri Cambri Cora Lexi Cori Codi Cami Cari Casi
More mythological Names
Browse all mythological names → Browse Greek names →

🗂️ Browse More Baby Names

Explore our name indexes and data tracks:

👧 Top Girl Names → 2-Syllable Names → 4-Letter Names → More Modern Trend Names → Greek Origin Names → mythological Names → Names Peaking in 2014 → 🗺️ Regional State Data →