Kaige

Kaige is a Chinese given name, typically masculine, formed from two syllables that can convey aspiration or triumph. In romanization, Kaige may be rendered as Kai-ge, and it is often associated with characters such as 凯 (kai, meaning triumph) and 歌 (ge, meaning song). Because Chinese names are chosen from a variety of character combinations, the exact meaning of Kaige can vary with different character choices. The name is primarily found within Chinese-speaking communities and is less common in English-speaking contexts.

The best-known bearer of the name is Chen Kaige (陈凯歌), a prominent Chinese film director and a leading figure of the Fifth Generation of Chinese cinema. Born in 1952 in Beijing, Chen Kaige achieved international recognition for films such as Yellow Earth (1984) and Farewell My Concubine (1993), the latter of which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Other notable works include The Emperor and the Assassin (1998) and Together (2002). Kaige’s films are noted for their expansive visual storytelling, historical and social themes, and a significant impact on the global profile of Chinese cinema.

In broader use, Kaige is primarily encountered as a personal name rather than a place, organization, or widely recognized term. Variants in spelling may occur due to transliteration choices, and the name remains relatively uncommon outside Chinese-speaking communities.