Kailani
Kailani is a girl's name of Hawaiian origin.
Meaning
Sea and sky, or ocean and heaven.
Origin and history
Kailani is a modern Hawaiian name derived from the combination of elements meaning sea and sky or heaven. It has seen a dramatic rise in popularity in the United States since the late 2010s, appealing to parents looking for rhythmic, nature-inspired names. Its modern usage reflects a broader trend of adopting Hawaiian linguistic elements into mainstream U.S. naming practices.
Popularity in the United States
12,778 babies in the United States have been named Kailani since 1880. It ranks #1423 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #253.
States where it is most popular
- CA (20.9 %)
- TX (13.5 %)
- FL (8.8 %)
- NY (4.8 %)
- GA (4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 59 |
| 1990-2000 | 204 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,147 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,067 |
| 2020-2029 | 7,301 |
Nicknames
Kai, Lani
Fun facts
- The name is created by combining the Hawaiian words 'kai' (meaning sea or ocean) and 'lani' (meaning sky or heaven).
- Kailani has experienced rapid growth in the United States, becoming a prominent mainstream name in the 2020s.