NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Kyi

A Buddhist name derived from the Myanma language meaning "animal lover".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2012. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Kyi is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kyi popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2012 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4805, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 6 births.

This profile covers 54 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 1998 to 2012. 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 54 living people in the UK are called Kyi. 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 2013 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Kyi ranked #4805 for boys in England and Wales in 2012, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2008, when 6 boys were registered as Kyi.
  • About 54 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kyi as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4805

2012

Births in 2012

3

Latest year

Peak year

2008

6 births

Estimated living

54

2026

Meaning

What does Kyi mean?

The given name Kyi has its origins in the Burmese language and culture, with roots dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Pali word "kyi," which means "to be quiet" or "to be calm." This name was commonly used in Myanmar (formerly Burma) and other parts of Southeast Asia.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kyi can be found in the Bagan era (11th to 13th century CE) of Myanmar, where it was a popular name among Buddhist monks and scholars. The name was often given to those who exhibited a peaceful and serene demeanor, reflecting the Buddhist values of tranquility and inner peace.

In the 16th century, Kyi gained further prominence when a Burmese princess named Kyi Kyi Khaing became a renowned figure in the royal court of the Toungoo Dynasty. Her legacy as a patron of the arts and literature helped to solidify the name's association with culture and refinement.

Another notable figure bearing the name Kyi was Kyi Maung, a prominent Burmese scholar and poet who lived in the 18th century. His works, which celebrated the beauty of the Burmese language and traditions, played a significant role in preserving the country's literary heritage.

In the 19th century, Kyi Wun, a renowned Burmese statesman and diplomat, was instrumental in negotiating treaties and fostering diplomatic relations between Myanmar and neighboring countries. His contributions to international diplomacy brought honor and respect to the name Kyi.

During the 20th century, Kyi Nu, a Burmese writer and activist, gained recognition for her work in promoting women's rights and advocating for social justice. Her literary works, which often explored themes of gender equality and empowerment, earned her a place as one of the most influential figures in Myanmar's modern literary canon.

While the name Kyi continues to be popular in Myanmar and other parts of Southeast Asia, its usage has also spread to other regions of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. The name's association with tranquility, wisdom, and cultural heritage has endured throughout its long history, making it a cherished name across generations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Kyi over time

The chart below shows babies named Kyi registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 to 2012. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Kyi, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2012, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Kyi
02356199820052012

Decades

Kyi by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kyi 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
2010s #4131 12 3
2000s #2739 35 7
1990s #2663 7 2

Related

Names similar to Kyi

FAQ

Kyi: questions and answers

How popular is the name Kyi in the UK right now?

In 2012, Kyi was ranked #4805 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Kyi most popular?

The peak year on record was 2008, with 6 babies registered as Kyi in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Kyi?

A Buddhist name derived from the Myanma language meaning "animal lover".

How many people are called Kyi in the UK?

A total of 54 babies have been registered as Kyi across the 12 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.