Kalani
Kalani is a girl's name of Hawaiian origin.
Meaning
The heavens, the sky, or the chief.
Origin and history
Kalani is a traditional Hawaiian unisex name that has experienced a significant surge in popularity as a feminine given name in the United States. Derived from Hawaiian words referring to the heavens or the sky, it carries strong connections to nature and royal titles. Its contemporary usage in the U.S. reflects a broader trend of adopting melodious Polynesian names.
Popularity in the United States
10,278 babies in the United States have been named Kalani since 1880. It ranks #1609 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #363.
States where it is most popular
- CA (14.5 %)
- FL (10.5 %)
- TX (10.3 %)
- GA (7.8 %)
- NC (5.5 %)
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 | 16 |
| 1970-1980 | 71 |
| 1980-1990 | 167 |
| 1990-2000 | 368 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,132 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,403 |
| 2020-2029 | 5,121 |
Famous people named Kalani
- Kalani Hilliker: Dancer, Television Personality
Nicknames
Lani, Kala
Fun facts
- In Native Hawaiian culture, 'Kalani' was used as an honorific prefix or title for high chiefs and nobility.
- More than half of all U.S. births recorded with the name Kalani have occurred within the last decade, showing its recent rise in popularity.