Data security depends on the generation of cryptographic keys, which must be unpredictable and resistant to cryptanalytic attacks. This research introduces a unique Hybrid Whale Optimization Algorithm with Chaotic Maps (HWOA-CM) for secure cryptographic key creation. The classic Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) exhibits good exploration and exploitation capabilities but may suffer from early convergence and limited unpredictability. We tackle this by incorporating chaotic maps into WOA to boost security, increase diversity, and improve search effectiveness. The chaotic sequences influence population initialization and adaptive parameter tuning, introducing high sensitivity to initial conditions and preventing predictability in key generation. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed HWOA-CM approach generates highly unpredictable, non-repetitive, and cryptographically strong keys, validated through statistical randomness tests and security analysis. Comparisons with conventional key generation methods highlight its superiority in terms of entropy, key space, and resistance to cryptographic attacks. This research establishes HWOA-CM as a promising approach for enhancing the security of encryption systems.