Find out how popular the first name Alani has been for the last 46 years (from 1978 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Alani by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Alani is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 99% of people named Alani being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,647 female babies and 5 male babies born with the name Alani.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 5 baby boys were named Alani in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Alani

The name Alani has its origins in the Hawaiian language and culture, dating back several centuries. It is derived from the Hawaiian word "lani," which means "heaven" or "sky." The name is often associated with the idea of celestial beauty and divine grace.

In ancient Hawaiian mythology, the word "lani" was used to refer to the heavens and the realm of the gods. It was believed that the highest realm of existence was the "lani," where the most powerful deities resided. The name Alani, therefore, carried a sense of reverence and spiritual significance.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Alani can be found in the Hawaiian oral traditions and chants, which were passed down from generation to generation. These chants often invoked the names of deities and notable figures, and the name Alani was likely used to honor or pay tribute to individuals with a connection to the heavens.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Alani. One of the most famous was Alani Alakawa, a Hawaiian princess and chieftain who lived in the late 18th century. She was known for her beauty, intelligence, and leadership skills, and her name became synonymous with grace and nobility.

Another significant figure was Alani Kealoha, a renowned Hawaiian healer and spiritual leader who lived in the early 20th century. She was revered for her knowledge of traditional Hawaiian healing practices and her ability to connect with the spiritual realm. Her name, Alani, reflected her connection to the divine and her role as a bridge between the physical and celestial realms.

In the realm of literature, the name Alani appeared in the works of Hawaiian author and scholar, David Malo. His book, "Hawaiian Antiquities," published in 1838, contained references to the name Alani and its associations with the heavens and the spiritual world.

More recently, the name Alani has been carried by notable individuals such as Alani Baggett, an American singer and songwriter who rose to fame in the late 1990s, and Alani Vasquez, a Mexican-American actress known for her roles in various television shows and films.

While the name Alani may have evolved and taken on different meanings over time, its roots in Hawaiian culture and its connection to the celestial realm remain a significant part of its history and symbolism.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Alani was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Alani, please contact us.

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