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Kali

Origin: Sanskrit — Hindu goddess of destruction and liberation

Girl's name · #323 in the US (2025) · 2020s wave

Popularity over time

Kali reached its best rank, #242, in 2019 and ranked #323 in 2025. About 33,000 girls have carried it since 1957.

Across the states

In recent years, Kali ran 3–5× its national rate in Mississippi and Louisiana—ranked #90 in Mississippi in 2025.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 39 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Kali ranks in other countries and regions.

#371 in Scotland (2025) · #465 in N. Ireland (2025) · #1,017 in Ireland (2025) · #1,251 in England & Wales (2025) · #1,613 in France (2025) · #2,183 in Switzerland (2025) · #533 in Canada (2024).

Famous Kalis

Kali Uchis — American singer and songwriter (born 1994)
Kali Rocha — American actress
Kali Reis — American boxer and actress
Kali Hawk — American actress
Kali Christ — Speed skater

In stories & tradition

Kālī — Hindu goddess associated with death and destruction, in the 21st century adopted as symbol of feminine empowerment
Kali — The Transposed Heads (musical stage work)
Kali Belladonna — RWBY (web series)

What Kalis become

Among 113 notable people named Kali:

Entertainers appear 2× more often than among typical names — e.g. Kali Uchis, American singer and songwriter (born 1994).

Spellings & nicknames

Together with its spelling variant Cali (#574), Kali would rank around #207 with about 1,500 births last year — the newborns split about 65/35 between Kali and Cali.

Similar names: Cali · Aspen · Khaleesi · Maliyah · Amara · Sunny

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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