Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Kalani
GirlHawaiian· “the heavens”
- Meaning
- the heavens
- Origin
- Hawaiian
- Pronunciation
- kuh-LAH-nee
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #387
- US babies 2025
- 800
- Best rank
- #339 (2021)
- Peak year
- 2021
Meaning and origin of Kalani
Kalani is a Hawaiian name that means “the heavens”.
Kalani is a Hawaiian name meaning the heavens or the sky, from ka, the, and lani, heaven or sky. Lani also carries associations of royalty and high rank in Hawaiian culture. The name is used for both boys and girls in Hawaii and has spread to the mainland United States, where it appeals to families who love its warm, lilting sound. Kalani feels peaceful and bright. Lani is a natural nickname, and Kailani and Leilani are related Hawaiian names.
Popularity over time
Kalani first appears in US Social Security records in 1963. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 11 different years, starting in 2015. Its best national rank was #339 in 2021, the same year it reached its highest count of 959 babies. In 2025, 800 babies were named Kalani, and it ranked #387 nationally. That is 140% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #4,830 in 1980, #2,293 in 2000, #1,683 in 2010, and #387 in 2025. Of the 10,278 US girls named Kalani since records began, 50% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 3,403 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Dream, Wynter, Alaya, Demi, and Gracelynn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kalani ranked highest in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | #102 | 38 |
| Mississippi | #109 | 21 |
| Alabama | #159 | 28 |
| District of Columbia | #170 | 5 |
| Arkansas | #182 | 17 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 89% of US babies named Kalani over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Kalani is usually pronounced kuh-LAH-nee, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with K and ends in “-ni”.
Middle names for Kalani
A few middle names that flow with Kalani: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kalani
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
Kailani Girl
ky-LAH-nee
“sea and sky” · Hawaiian
#253
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 Kalani
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kalani mean?
Kalani is a Hawaiian name that means “the heavens”.
What is the origin of the name Kalani?
Kalani has Hawaiian roots. Kalani is a Hawaiian name meaning the heavens or the sky, from ka, the, and lani, heaven or sky.
Is Kalani a popular name?
Yes. Kalani ranked #387 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kalani a boy or girl name?
Kalani is mainly a girl's name. About 89% of US babies named Kalani over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Kalani?
Kalani is usually pronounced kuh-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