Kei is of Japanese origin and means "humble" or "respect". It's a unisex name, commonly used for males but also given to females. The name gained international popularity through various forms of media, such as anime and manga, where characters named Kei are often portrayed as strong-willed and determined individuals. In Japan, Kei is typically written with the kanji characters 圭 or 慶, which represent "elegance" or "celebration" respectively. However, it can also be written in hiragana (けい) or katakana (ケイ). Despite its meaning and origin, Kei is a name that transcends cultural boundaries and has been embraced by people from diverse backgrounds around the world.
The name Kei has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past century, with its usage becoming much more frequent starting from the late 1980s. The highest number of births was recorded in 2023 with 26 occurrences.