Home › Baby Names Directory › Kaylani

Kaylani

♀ Girl

Pronounced kay-LAH-nee /keɪˈlɑː.ni/High

Meaning: Sea and sky; variant of Kailani, from Hawaiian kai (sea) + lani (sky, heaven)High

In 30 seconds: A breezy Hawaiian name meaning 'sea and sky,' a variant spelling of Kailani. Its flowing three syllables, positive meaning, and tropical feel make it a popular choice on the U.S. mainland.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighHawaiian
MeaningSea and sky; variant of Kailani, from Hawaiian kai (sea) + lani (sky, heaven)
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,966

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201719872017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Kaylani is a variant spelling of Kailani, a Hawaiian compound name from kai ('sea') and lani ('sky, heaven, royalty'). The Kayla- opening makes it more accessible for English-speakers who find the Kai- pronunciation ambiguous. It retains the same Hawaiian cultural meaning as Kailani.

Kaylani has been rising in the United States in the 2010s and 2020s alongside Kailani, as interest in Hawaiian and Polynesian names has grown. The two spellings are often used interchangeably. It is now in the top 400 U.S. girls' names.

Did you know? Both Kailani and Kaylani use the Hawaiian lani (sky, heaven, royalty) element — one of the most spiritually elevated words in the Hawaiian language, also found in names like Leilani and Kalani.

Variations

KailaniKalaniKailana

Nicknames

KayLaniKaya

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kaylani…

Kailani— the alternate spelling of the same name
Leilani— Hawaiian 'heavenly flower,' shares the lani element

Frequently Asked

What does the name Kaylani mean?

Kaylani means 'sea and sky' in Hawaiian, from kai (sea) and lani (sky, heaven). It is a variant spelling of Kailani.

How do you pronounce Kaylani?

Kaylani is pronounced kay-LAH-nee (/keɪˈlɑː.ni/) — three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Kaylani a boy or girl name?

Kaylani is used almost exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Kaylani?

Kaylani has been rising in the U.S. since the 2010s and is now in the top 400 girls' names.