UK boy's name
Khi
Of Arabic origin, meaning "brotherhood" or "protecting honor and ethics".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2009. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Khi is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Khi popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2009 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4527, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2002, with 4 births.
This profile covers 13 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 1998 to 2009. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 13 living people in the UK are called Khi. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2010 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Khi ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales in 2009, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2002, when 4 boys were registered as Khi.
- • About 13 living people in the UK are estimated to have Khi as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4527
2009
Births in 2009
3
Latest year
Peak year
2002
4 births
Estimated living
13
2026
Meaning
What does Khi mean?
The given name Khi has its roots deeply embedded in the ancient Khmer language and culture, originating in the region now known as Cambodia, dating back to the 6th century AD. This moniker is believed to have been derived from the Old Khmer word 'khi,' which translates to 'crystal' or 'gemstone,' reflecting the reverence for these precious materials in Khmer society.
Khi finds prominent mention in the inscriptions and historical records of the Khmer Empire, particularly during the reign of the illustrious King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. This monarch, renowned for his architectural prowess, adorned many of his magnificent temples and monuments with intricate carvings depicting individuals bearing the name.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Khi can be found in the ancient Khmer text, the "Reamker," a profound literary work that chronicles the epic tale of the Ramayana. Within its pages, a revered character named Khi is depicted as a wise and virtuous figure, serving as a source of guidance and inspiration for generations to come.
Throughout the annals of history, several notable individuals have borne the name Khi, leaving an indelible mark on their respective fields. Khi Neth (1908-1975) was a prominent Cambodian poet and writer, whose works celebrated the rich cultural heritage of his homeland. Khi Kosal (1915-1982), on the other hand, was a revered Buddhist monk and scholar, renowned for his profound teachings and contributions to the preservation of Khmer spirituality.
In the realm of arts and culture, Khi Bunheng (1936-2006) stands out as a celebrated Cambodian painter, whose vibrant canvases captured the essence of Khmer life and traditions with exquisite detail. Another notable figure was Khi Seng (1945-2018), a renowned Khmer classical dancer who dedicated his life to perpetuating the ancient art form and passing it on to future generations.
Finally, Khi Sovannara (1958-present) is a contemporary Cambodian artist and sculptor whose works have been exhibited globally, showcasing the enduring legacy of Khmer artistic expression to the world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Khi over time
The chart below shows babies named Khi registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 to 2009. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Khi, the clearest high point is 2002. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2009, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Khi by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Khi was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3865 | 10 | 3 |
| 1990s | #2901 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Khi
- Kieran 30,429
- Kyle 28,463
- Kai 24,432
- Kian 17,666
- Kayden 8,305
- Kevin 7,927
- Kane 7,149
- Kaiden 5,762
- Kieron 4,547
- Kacper 4,366
- Kye 4,012
- Kit 3,529
FAQ
Khi: questions and answers
How popular is the name Khi in the UK right now?
In 2009, Khi was ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Khi most popular?
The peak year on record was 2002, with 4 babies registered as Khi in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Khi?
Of Arabic origin, meaning "brotherhood" or "protecting honor and ethics".
How many people are called Khi in the UK?
A total of 13 babies have been registered as Khi across the 4 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.