Kalani
Kalani is a unisex name of Hawaiian origin meaning “the heavens, the sky, chief.” It ranked #387 in the United States in 2025. Kalani means 'the heavens' or 'the sky' in Hawaiian, and was also used as a royal title meaning 'chief' or 'majesty.'
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how do you pronounce Kalani?
kah-LAH-nee
where does the name Kalani come from?
From the Hawaiian ka, the, and lani, heavens or sky: the heavens, the sky, royal one or chief. It is also a short form of many compound names beginning with Kalani-.
King Kalākaua and Queen Liliuokalani, the last rulers of the Hawaiian Kingdom, bore this element in their names. It is used for both boys and girls.
how popular is this name?
Kalani has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 11 years since 2015. It peaked at #339 in 2021, and ranked #387 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #387 |
| 2024 | #339 |
| 2023 | #378 |
| 2022 | #375 |
| 2021 | #339 |
| 2020 | #397 |
| 2019 | #469 |
| 2018 | #583 |
| 2017 | #544 |
| 2016 | #675 |
| 2015 | #838 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Kalani fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Kalani?
- Kalani Hilliker (American dancer)
- Kalani David (Hawaiian-Costa Rican surfer)
what are the nicknames and variants of Kalani?
Nicknames
what names are similar to Kalani?
what names go well with Kalani?
Sibling names that share Kalani's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Kalani
What does the name Kalani mean?
Kalani means “the heavens, the sky, chief”.
What is the origin of the name Kalani?
Kalani comes from the Hawaiian naming tradition.
How popular is the name Kalani?
Kalani ranked #387 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data.
Is Kalani a boy or girl name?
Kalani is a unisex name, used for both boys and girls.
How do you pronounce Kalani?
Kalani is pronounced kah-LAH-nee, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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