Kamalei is a unique and exotic name of Hawaiian origin. It is derived from the Hawaiian words "kama" which means "child" and "lei" which refers to a necklace made of flowers or leaves. Thus, Kamalei can be interpreted as "child of the lei," symbolizing beauty, grace, and preciousness.
The name Kamalei has a rich history in Hawaiian culture. It was traditionally given to children born around the time of the lei day celebration, which honors Queen Ka'ahumanu's declaration that all Hawaiians should wear leis on May 1st each year. This custom is still observed today as a symbol of unity and love among the Hawaiian people.
In ancient Hawaii, leis were not just adornments but held significant spiritual and cultural meanings. They were often made from native plants like maile, plumeria, or lehua, which had their own unique stories and symbols associated with them. Wearing a lei was seen as a way to connect with these sacred plants and the natural world around us.
Therefore, the name Kamalei carries with it a deep sense of connection to Hawaiian heritage and culture. It embodies the beauty and spirit of Hawaii's lands, people, and traditions. Parents who choose this name for their child are often drawn to its uniqueness, its meaningful origin story, and its ties to Hawaiian identity.
While Kamalei may not be as widely known outside of Hawaii, it has gained recognition in recent years due to its association with notable individuals such as Kamalei Lee, a talented Hawaiian musician and slack-key guitarist. This further contributes to the name's growing popularity and visibility within the global community.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Kamalei in the United States from 1995 to 2022. Over this period, there were a total of 112 babies named Kamalei.
Looking at the data year by year, we can see that the popularity of the name Kamalei has varied over time. The name first appeared in the records in 1995 with 7 births that year. The following year, the number of births increased slightly to 8. However, in 1997, there were only 5 babies named Kamalei.
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw a fluctuation in the popularity of the name. There were 7 births in both 1999 and 2003, followed by another decrease to 5 births in 2004 (although it's worth noting that there may be some inconsistency or delay in the reporting of birth data).
The year 2008 saw a significant spike in the number of babies named Kamalei, with 14 births recorded that year. This was followed by a drop to 6 births in both 2009 and 2014, and another decrease to 5 births in both 2010 and 2016.
More recently, the number of babies named Kamalei has been increasing again. There were 8 births recorded in 2015, followed by 5 births in both 2017 (not listed) and 2018. In the most recent years available, there were 6 births in both 2021 and 2022.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Kamalei has fluctuated over time, it has shown some signs of increasing in recent years. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues in future years.