kaj

Kaj is a term with multiple uses in different languages and contexts. In several Scandinavian languages, including Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish, kaj denotes a quay or dock—an area along a harbor where ships load and unload. The word appears in maritime vocabulary and can appear in place names or street names associated with harbors.

Kaj is also a masculine given name in Denmark, Norway, and parts of Sweden, where it may appear as an independent name or as a short form of longer names in some traditions. A well-known bearer of the name is Kaj Munk (1898–1944), a Danish priest, playwright, and resistance figure during World War II.

The two primary uses of kaj—as a harbor-related term and as a personal name—are the most common. In written text, the meaning usually becomes clear from context: it will refer to a harbor feature when discussing places or ships, or to a person when used as a proper noun. Beyond these, the word and its capitalization can vary by language and era, but the distinct senses above capture its typical modern usage.