Tiger Woods’ girlfriend Vanessa Trump opens up with heartfelt story behind daughter Kai’s name

On June 30, 2025, Vanessa Trump, the girlfriend of golf legend Tiger Woods, shared a heartfelt Instagram video. In it, she kept people wondering for a moment before explaining the unique reason behind her daughter’s name.

The name “Kai” has a touching story linked to family and beloved memories. Vanessa’s words have now reached many who follow her story and Tiger Woods’s life together.

Vanessa Trump Reveals Why She Chose the Name “Kai” for Her Daughter, Kai Madison Trump

Vanessa Trump, born Vanessa Pergolizzi in New York City in December 1977, posted on Instagram on June 30, 2025. She said her daughter, Kai Madison Trump, who was born on May 12, 2007, was named after her own grandfather, Danish jazz musician Kai Ewans.

Vanessa explained:“My grandfather’s name was Kai, and I always loved the name Kai.

I was very close to my grandfather. He was like a father to me. And kai means ocean, and that’s one of my favorite places to go. So we didn’t know if it was a girl or a boy, but I said either way, it could go. My grandfather was a guy, obviously, and if it’s a girl, I’d name her Kai” .She also noted that “Kai” means “ocean” in a language she cherishes, using it to connect her child to both family and nature. Vanessa posted the video from her home in Palm Beach, Florida, the same place where she lives with her five children from her marriage to Donald Trump Jr.

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Vanessa Trump and Tiger Woods: A Shared Love for Family and Golf

Vanessa Trump first began dating Tiger Woods around Thanksgiving 2024, though the relationship was kept private for months . The couple made their relationship public in March 2025 via Instagram, where Tiger Woods shared photos and a message saying:“Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together. At this time we would appreciate privacy for all those close to our hearts”.On June 14, 2025, Vanessa and her daughter Kai attended a White House event in Washington, D.C., representing their family alongside Vanessa’s ex-husband, Donald Trump Jr. . Vanessa and Tiger often meet through their children’s shared passion, golf. Kai, now 18 and a student at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens, plays golf with a +0.5 handicap, having won club championships in 2022 and 2024. She has committed to play for the University of Miami in the 2026 class .Tiger Woods’s children, Sam Alexis Woods (17) and Charlie Woods (16), attend the same school and also play golf. The families have been seen together at events like the Genesis Invitational in Palm Beach, Florida, and the Nicklaus Junior Championship .Also Read: Who Is Vanessa Trump? Tiger Wood’s Lady Love Has A Rich Dating History!Their shared golf connection deepened their relationship. Vanessa’s public words about her naming choice, combined with their children’s common interests, highlight a bond built on family and legacy. Vanessa honored her Danish roots and her love for the ocean by naming her daughter Kai, and through sharing this, she added a personal layer to her public life with Tiger Woods.