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The short answer
Kailani is a feminine Hawaiian name built from kai, meaning "ocean, sea", and lani, meaning "sky, heaven". Behind the Name lists it as also used in modern English and Latin American Spanish naming. It is pronounced ky-LAH-nee. In the United States it ranked #253 for girls in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name gives Kailani as "from Hawaiian kai 'ocean, sea' and lani 'sky, heaven'", listing its usage as Hawaiian as well as modern English and modern Latin American Spanish.
Editorial confidence: established
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaiian | kai | ocean, sea |
| Hawaiian | lani | sky, heaven |
Popularity
Kailani ranked #253 for girls in the United States in 2025 (Social Security Administration).
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #253 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: None documented.
Variants: Kailany, Kaylani, Kehlani
Related names: Kehlani
What the name feels like
Kailani has a bright, tropical sound built from two evocative nature words, giving it an easy connection to ocean and sky imagery that appeals to parents looking for a nature name with a distinct cultural origin.
Style tags: nature name, Hawaiian, three syllables
Editorial interpretation: These style impressions are editorial judgment, not linguistic fact.
If you like this name
Names that share Kailani's Hawaiian roots or its ocean-and-sky imagery.
Similar by origin
Similar by meaning
- Moana
- Malia
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kailani mean?
Kailani means "sea and sky", from Hawaiian kai ("ocean, sea") and lani ("sky, heaven").
Is Kailani a popular name?
Kailani ranked #253 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
Is Kailani only used in Hawaii?
Behind the Name lists Kailani's usage as Hawaiian as well as modern English and modern Latin American Spanish, so it is used well beyond Hawaii today.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Kailani — supports etymology, pronunciation, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
