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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kelani

Kelani

♀ Girl

Pronounced keh-LAH-nee /kɛˈlɑː.niː/Low

Meaning: Heavenly flower; also a river name in Sri LankaLow

In 30 seconds: Kelani is a multicultural name with both Hawaiian and Sri Lankan roots. In Hawaiian it means heavenly flower or the sky, while the Kelani is a major sacred river in Sri Lanka. It has a flowing melodic quality beloved across various cultures.
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Origin LowHawaiian, Polynesian, Sri Lankan
MeaningHeavenly flower; also a river name in Sri Lanka
U.S. rank (2025)#1542 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births137 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2020
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,708

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202019762025

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

Kelani draws from multiple sources. In Hawaiian it connects to ke lani meaning the sky or heavenly. The Kelani River in Sri Lanka bears a Sinhalese name meaning clarity. The name has been adopted in Hawaiian, Polynesian, and South Asian communities.

In the United States, Kelani appears in Hawaiian American, Sri Lankan diaspora, and general communities who appreciate its melodic three-syllable sound. It has a tropical luminous quality with broad appeal.

Did you know? The Kelani River in Sri Lanka flows through the capital Colombo and is considered sacred, its banks dotted with ancient Buddhist temples. The river's name means one of great clarity — another beautiful layer of meaning.
Overall data confidence 60%
Hawaiian Name Dictionary

Variations

KelanyKelanieKeilani

Nicknames

KelaLani

Famous Bearers

  • ★Kelani Jordan (b. 1998)
    American professional wrestler and former gymnast, inaugural WWE NXT Women's North American Champion

If you like Kelani…

Leilani— Hawaiian heavenly flower name
Kalani— Hawaiian sky/heaven name
Kailani— Hawaiian sea and sky compound
Milani— Hawaiian name of similar melody

Explore names like Kelani

By themenaturethree-syllablehawaiianmulticulturalpolynesian
By meaningSky / HeavenSea / WaterFlower

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Kelani mean?

Kelani means heavenly flower or the sky in Hawaiian. The Kelani River in Sri Lanka is also a sacred waterway.

Is Kelani a Hawaiian name?

Kelani has Hawaiian roots meaning heavenly or sky, and is also used in Sri Lankan communities.

How do you pronounce Kelani?

Kelani is pronounced keh-LAH-nee with three syllables.

What are nicknames for Kelani?

Nicknames for Kelani include Kela and Lani.

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