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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kani

Kani

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAH-nee /ˈkɑː.ni/Medium

Meaning: Kani reads mostly as a short, modern coinage or a clipping of longer Ka- names; separately it is a Hawaiian word meaning 'sound' (as of music or the sea). Routes uncertain here.Low

In 30 seconds: A trim two-beat name: Kani is a short modern coinage, and also Hawaiian for 'sound' (said 'KAH-nee'). Routes are uncertain, which we note.
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Origin LowEnglish, Hawaiian
MeaningKani reads mostly as a short, modern coinage or a clipping of longer Ka- names; separately it is a Hawaiian word meaning 'sound' (as of music or the sea). Routes uncertain here.
U.S. rank (2024)#12729 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 249

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202219962024

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

As a girl's name Kani reads mostly as a short coinage or a clipping of a longer Ka- name; in Hawaiian it means 'sound.' The routes are uncertain, which we note — a clean, minimal name (said 'KAH-nee').

It appears only rarely for girls in the U.S. Rare, short, and airy.

Did you know? Kani doubles as a Hawaiian word for 'sound' — the ring of music or the surf — though for many families it's simply a short, modern pick whose routes are uncertain, which we note (said 'KAH-nee').
Overall data confidence 30%
References — Kani — short coinage; Hawaiian 'sound'; routes uncertain

Variations

KanieKanniKahni

Nicknames

KayNini

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kani…

Kalani— a like Hawaiian-style vowel name
Noelani— a like soft Hawaiian pick
Leilani— a like island-feel name
Nova— a like short, bright modern choice

Explore names like Kani

By themeuncertainmodernshorthawaiian
By meaningSea / Water

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Kani mean?

Kani reads as a short coinage; in Hawaiian it also means 'sound.' The routes are uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Kani?

It's said KAH-nee /ˈkɑː.ni/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kani a boy or girl name?

Here Kani is used as a girl's name; it can appear for either as a short pick.

How popular is Kani?

Kani is a very rare name for girls in the U.S.

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