Caj is a Swedish variant of the name Kai. The origin of Kai is uncertain, however it is frequently considered a Frisian diminutive of names such as Gerhard, Nicolaas, Cornelis, or Gaius. In Scandinavia, it gained additional currency through Hans Christian Andersen's 1844 fairy tale 'The Snow Queen', in which a boy named Kay (a form of Kai) is captured by the titular queen. The name's association with this story helped it spread beyond Northern Europe. In Sweden, variants like Caj, Cai, and Kay have been used historically, though none have attained great popularity. The name saw some uptake in the Swedish-speaking parts of Finland as well. After originating in Frisian-speaking regions of Germany and the Netherlands, the name Kai became increasingly common across Western Europe and the English-speaking world towards the end of the 20th century, which also sustained Swedish usage of variants such as Caj. Meaning: Uncertain; possibly a Frisian diminutive of Gerhard, Nicolaas, Cornelis, or Gaius Origin: Swedish variant of Kai Type: Given name (masculine) Usage region: Sweden and Swedish-speaking Finland Notable bearer: The Snow Queen’s captive boy (Kay)