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Home › Baby Names Directory › Hanalei

Hanalei

♀ Girl

Pronounced hah-nah-LAY /ˌhɑ.nɑˈleɪ/Medium

Meaning: From Hanalei, a bay and valley on Kauai, Hawaii — often interpreted as 'crescent bay' or 'lei-making valley.' A place name we note respectfully.Low

In 30 seconds: A Hawaiian place name: Hanalei is a Kauai bay, often read 'crescent bay' (said 'hah-nah-LAY'). Lush and noted respectfully.
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Origin MediumHawaiian
MeaningFrom Hanalei, a bay and valley on Kauai, Hawaii — often interpreted as 'crescent bay' or 'lei-making valley.' A place name we note respectfully.
U.S. rank (2025)#9079 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births11 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2019
Total births (all-time)≈ 271

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201920002025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Hanalei names a celebrated bay and valley on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, often interpreted as 'crescent bay' or 'lei-making valley' (readings vary, which we note). As a given name it is lush and place-rooted, which we note respectfully — rare in the U.S. (said 'hah-nah-LAY').

In the U.S. it appears rarely, mostly for its Hawaiian ties. Rare, lush, and place-rooted.

Did you know? Hanalei is a bay and valley on Kauai — often read as 'crescent bay' or 'lei-making valley' — a lush Hawaiian place name we note respectfully (said 'hah-nah-LAY').
Overall data confidence 44%
References — Hanalei — Hawaiian place name; readings vary; noted respectfully

Variations

HanaleeHanaleighAnalei

Nicknames

HanaLei

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Hanalei…

Leilani— a like Hawaiian lei name
Kalani— a like Hawaiian place-and-name
Noelani— a like -lani Hawaiian name
Malia— a like Hawaiian girl's name

Explore names like Hanalei

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Hanalei mean?

Hanalei is a bay and valley on Kauai, often read as 'crescent bay' or 'lei-making valley'; readings vary, which we note.

How do you pronounce Hanalei?

It's said hah-nah-LAY /ˌhɑ.nɑˈleɪ/ — three syllables, stress on the last.

Is Hanalei a boy or girl name?

Hanalei is a girl's name.

How popular is Hanalei?

Hanalei is a rare name in the U.S.

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