Kali is a unisex name of Sanskrit origin, meaning "black," "dark" or "time." It is often associated with the Hindu goddess of time, destruction, and creation, known as Kali Ma. In Hawaiian culture, Kali is also used as a female given name, where it means "the sea" or "deep waters.
The name Kali experienced a significant surge in popularity from the late 1970s onwards, with consistent growth until it peaked at 43 births each year between 2020 and 2021, totaling over 860 births since 1970.