Kailani
Meaning of Kailani
Kailani, a feminine forename formed from the Hawaiian morphemes kai, “sea,” and lani, “sky; heaven,” unites two fundamental natural spheres in a manner consonant with Polynesian cosmology. Documented in U.S. vital statistics since 1980, the designation has risen from isolated single-digit occurrences to 1,349 registrations in 2022, followed by 1,320 in 2023, securing a historical best rank of 217 and remaining within the national Top 300 in 2024. This growth trajectory reflects a broader American inclination toward nature-referential, cross-cultural names that offer both phonetic familiarity and distinctive heritage. Articulated ky-LAH-nee (/kaɪˈlɑni/), Kailani aligns rhythmically with mainstream choices such as Kayla and Leilani, facilitating adoption while retaining Hawai‘i’s linguistic cadence. Semantically, its conflation of marine and celestial imagery conveys breadth, composure, and an unobtrusive spirituality, positioning Kailani as a technically authentic yet accessible option for parents seeking a contemporary, culturally specific appellation.
Pronunciation
Hawaiian
- Pronunced as ky-LAH-nee (/kaɪˈlɑni/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Kailani
| Kailani Craine is a former Australian figure skater, a six time national champion and 2017 Nebelhorn Trophy champion who competed at the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics. |
