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Zalani
Pronounced zah-LAH-nee /zΙΛlΙ.ni/High
Meaning: Modern American coinage pairing the bold Z- opening with -lani, the Hawaiian word for 'sky, heavens, royalty'Medium
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Zalani is a recent American coinage without a traditional etymology: it takes -lani, the Hawaiian element meaning 'sky, heavens, royalty' that anchors hits like Leilani and Kalani, and fronts it with the fashionable letter Z. The result joins sisters like Zaylani and Zailani in the newest wave of melodic island-inspired names.
The name began appearing in U.S. records only in the last decade, part of the broader Z-name boom that produced Zariah and Zaylee. It remains very rare and contemporary.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Zalani mean?
Zalani is a modern coinage that borrows -lani, Hawaiian for 'heavens' or 'royal', and adds a bold Z- opening; it has no single traditional meaning.
How do you pronounce Zalani?
It's said zah-LAH-nee /zΙΛlΙ.ni/ β three syllables, stress on the second.
Is Zalani a boy or girl name?
Zalani is used mainly as a girl's name.
How popular is Zalani?
Zalani is a very rare, recently coined name in the U.S.