Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Kailani
GirlHawaiian· “sea and sky”
- Meaning
- sea and sky
- Origin
- Hawaiian
- Pronunciation
- ky-LAH-nee
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #253
- US babies 2025
- 1,215
- Best rank
- #222 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Kailani
Kailani is a Hawaiian name that means “sea and sky”.
Kailani is a Hawaiian name made from kai, "sea", and lani, "sky" or "heavens", so it is usually translated "sea and sky". It evokes the ocean horizon of the Hawaiian islands, and it belongs to a family of Hawaiian names built on lani, such as Leilani and Keilani. Kailani has grown in the United States in recent years, as parents discovered its bright, melodic sound and natural imagery. It is pronounced ky-LAH-nee. Kai and Lani are natural nicknames. Parents without Hawaiian roots who choose it may enjoy learning a little about the language and culture it comes from.
Popularity over time
Kailani first appears in US Social Security records in 1980. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 13 different years, starting in 2013. Its best national rank was #222 in 2022, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,350 babies. In 2025, 1,215 babies were named Kailani, and it ranked #253 nationally. That is 283% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #7,721 in 1980, #2,756 in 2000, #1,276 in 2010, and #253 in 2025. Of the 12,778 US girls named Kailani since records began, 57% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 4,067 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Kamila, Lilith, Milani, Harlow, and Leia.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kailani ranked highest in Hawaii, Delaware, and New Mexico.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | #16 | 24 |
| Delaware | #104 | 8 |
| New Mexico | #122 | 12 |
| Rhode Island | #137 | 7 |
| Connecticut | #148 | 21 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Kailani is usually pronounced ky-LAH-nee, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with K and ends in “-ni”.
Middle names for Kailani
A few middle names that flow with Kailani: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kailani
Similar names
Alani Girl
uh-LAH-nee
“orange tree” · Hawaiian
#161
Kehlani Girl
keh-LAH-nee
“often said to mean 'sea and sky'” · American (modern coinage)
#149
Kalani Girl
kuh-LAH-nee
“the heavens” · Hawaiian
#387
Ailani Girl
eye-LAH-nee
“often said to mean high chief” · Hawaiian
#168
Kahlani Girl
kuh-LAH-nee
“variant of Kailani, 'sea and sky'” · American (modern coinage)
#875
Leilani Girl
lay-LAH-nee
“heavenly flowers” · Hawaiian
#60
Armani Unisex
ahr-MAH-nee
“from the Italian surname; army man” · Italian
#495
Milani Girl
mih-LAH-nee
“uncertain; possibly from Milan” · American (modern coinage)
#288
Amani Girl
ah-MAH-nee
“peace” · Swahili
#678
Harmoni Girl
HAHR-muh-nee
“harmony” · Greek
#1,000
Avani Girl
uh-VAH-nee
“earth” · Sanskrit
#806
Malia Girl
muh-LEE-uh
“Hawaiian form of Mary” · Hawaiian
#349
Lists that include Kailani
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kailani mean?
Kailani is a Hawaiian name that means “sea and sky”.
What is the origin of the name Kailani?
Kailani has Hawaiian roots. Kailani is a Hawaiian name made from kai, "sea", and lani, "sky" or "heavens", so it is usually translated "sea and sky".
Is Kailani a popular name?
Yes. Kailani ranked #253 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kailani a boy or girl name?
Kailani is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Kailani?
Kailani is usually pronounced ky-LAH-nee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings