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Khalani

♀ Girl

Pronounced kah-LAH-nee /kɑːˈlɑː.niː/High

Meaning: Variant of Hawaiian Kalani, composed of ka (the) and lani (heaven, sky, royalty, divine chief); meaning the heavens or the divine one; the initial Kh- spelling reflects a non-standard romanisation or phonetic variationMedium

In 30 seconds: Khalani is a variant spelling of the Hawaiian Kalani, meaning the heavens or the divine one, that has gained use in African-American and multicultural American communities drawn to its melodic sound and celestial meaning.
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Origin MediumHawaiian
MeaningVariant of Hawaiian Kalani, composed of ka (the) and lani (heaven, sky, royalty, divine chief); meaning the heavens or the divine one; the initial Kh- spelling reflects a non-standard romanisation or phonetic variation
U.S. rank (2025)#904 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births293 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,671

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202120002025

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

History & Origin

Khalani is a variant of Hawaiian Kalani, composed of ka (the) and lani (sky, heaven, royalty, divine chief). In Hawaiian tradition, lani names carry inherent prestige — lani denoted not just the sky but also ali'i (royalty) of the highest rank, people of divine descent. Kalani has been used in Hawaii as both a masculine and feminine name. The Kh- spelling variant appeared in the continental United States, where the kh- combination may reflect Arabic, Persian, or simply phonetic variation from the original Hawaiian spelling.

Khalani has found particular favour in African-American communities in the United States, where it joins a family of melodic, multi-syllable names with lani or -lani endings. Its three-syllable flow and celestial meaning make it appealing to parents who want something that sounds both beautiful and meaningful. The name demonstrates how Hawaiian names have migrated well beyond Hawaii's geographic borders, becoming part of a broader multicultural American naming lexicon in the 21st century.

Did you know? The Hawaiian word lani appears in dozens of given names used across the Pacific and increasingly in the continental United States — Leilani, Kailani, Nalani, Naylani, Kalani, Khalani — all of them reflecting the Hawaiian cosmological reverence for the sky, the stars, and divine chiefs.
Overall data confidence 78%
Hawaiian Dictionary (Pukui and Elbert) — ka and lani etymologyBehind the Name — Kalani — base name overview

Variations

KalaniKailaniKhalanee

Nicknames

KhaLani

Famous Bearers

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If you like Khalani…

Kalani— the standard Hawaiian spelling of the same name with the same meaning
Leilani— Hawaiian lani name meaning heavenly lei with the same celestial root and three-syllable flow
Kailani— Hawaiian name combining sea and sky with the same lani element
Nalani— Hawaiian lani name with comparable meaning and melodic Polynesian character

Frequently Asked

What does Khalani mean?

Khalani is a variant of Hawaiian Kalani, meaning the heavens or the divine one — from ka (the) and lani (sky, heaven, royalty).

How do you pronounce Khalani?

It is said kah-LAH-nee — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Khalani a Hawaiian name?

Khalani is based on the Hawaiian name Kalani; the Kh- spelling is a variant that arose in the continental United States.

Is Khalani a girl or boy name?

Khalani is used predominantly as a girls name in the United States.