Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Kehlani
GirlAmerican (modern coinage), Hawaiian· “often said to mean 'sea and sky'”
- Meaning
- often said to mean 'sea and sky' (origin disputed)
- Origin
- American (modern coinage), Hawaiian
- Pronunciation
- keh-LAH-nee
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #149
- US babies 2025
- 1,981
- Best rank
- #149 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Kehlani
Kehlani is often said to mean “often said to mean 'sea and sky'”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) and Hawaiian roots.
Kehlani is a modern name made famous by the singer Kehlani, who has said it means sea and sky. It is built to sound Hawaiian, and lani is indeed the Hawaiian word for sky or heaven, but the first part does not match a standard Hawaiian word, so the name is best described as a modern creation with a Hawaiian-style meaning. Its popularity has grown quickly in the United States. It has a flowing, melodic sound and a breezy, island feel. Lani is a natural nickname, and the name pairs well with simple, classic middle names.
Popularity over time
Kehlani first appears in US Social Security records in 2015. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 10 different years, starting in 2016. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #149, and its highest count, 1,981 babies. Use has grown 3862% in ten years.
Of the 14,481 US girls named Kehlani since records began, 78% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 3,198 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Wrenley, Evangeline, Oaklynn, Blakely, and Phoebe.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kehlani ranked highest in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Georgia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #24 | 46 |
| Louisiana | #45 | 63 |
| Georgia | #75 | 111 |
| Alabama | #76 | 52 |
| New Mexico | #80 | 16 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Kehlani is usually pronounced keh-LAH-nee, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with K and ends in “-ni”.
Middle names for Kehlani
A few middle names that flow with Kehlani: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kehlani
Similar names
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
Alani Girl
uh-LAH-nee
“orange tree” · Hawaiian
#161
Kailani Girl
ky-LAH-nee
“sea and sky” · Hawaiian
#253
Milani Girl
mih-LAH-nee
“uncertain; possibly from Milan” · American (modern coinage)
#288
Kalani Girl
kuh-LAH-nee
“the heavens” · Hawaiian
#387
Leilani Girl
lay-LAH-nee
“heavenly flowers” · Hawaiian
#60
Armani Unisex
ahr-MAH-nee
“from the Italian surname; army man” · Italian
#495
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
Makayla Girl
muh-KAY-luh
“modern form of Michaela; who is like God?” · American (modern coinage)
#568
Lists that include Kehlani
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kehlani mean?
Kehlani is often said to mean “often said to mean 'sea and sky'”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) and Hawaiian roots.
What is the origin of the name Kehlani?
Kehlani has modern American and Hawaiian roots. Kehlani is a modern name made famous by the singer Kehlani, who has said it means sea and sky.
Is Kehlani a popular name?
Yes. Kehlani ranked #149 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kehlani a boy or girl name?
Kehlani is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Kehlani?
Kehlani is usually pronounced keh-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