Kasai

KA-SIE

Japanese

"fire, flame"

Kasai Origin and Meaning

The name Kasai is a boy's name meaning "fire, flame".

A Japanese name with real firepower, Kasai could be a name that's going places. It's a well-kept secret — for now — but it is nevertheless on the rise as parents search for alternatives to names like Kai and co. Given to just 8 boys in 2013, in a more recent count, it was given to 63, reflecting the interest in international gems.

A romanization of the Japanese word for fire, particularly one spreading over a wide area, Kasai is also a surname and a unisex option in Japan. While a small number of girls have been given the name in the States, it currently leans masculine. Interestingly, it disproportionately popular in Delaware, where it is connected to local wunderkind, Kasai Guthrie, a young entrepreneur and rapper.

Kasai was chosen by actress Skai Jackson in 2025 for her baby, which may well generate more interest around the name, making it one to watch out for in the future.

The Japanese name coincides with the name of a river running though the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Popularity of the name Kasai

• 668 Nameberry 2025