Find out how popular the first name Kailani has been for the last 44 years (from 1980 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kailani by gender

Based on the last 44 years of data, Kailani is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Kailani being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,315 female babies and 8 male babies born with the name Kailani.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 8 baby boys were named Kailani in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Kailani

The name Kailani has its origins in the Hawaiian language and culture. It is a combination of two Hawaiian words, "kai" meaning ocean or sea, and "lani" meaning heaven or sky. Thus, Kailani can be interpreted as "heavenly sea" or "sea from heaven".

In Hawaiian culture, the ocean and the sky hold great significance, representing the essential elements of life and the natural world. The name Kailani reflects the reverence and connection that Hawaiians have with these natural forces.

While the name Kailani may have been in use informally for centuries, its earliest documented appearances date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Kailani Parker, a Hawaiian woman born in 1889 on the island of Oahu.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kailani. One such person was Kailani Kamau, a Hawaiian activist and educator who played a crucial role in preserving and promoting the Hawaiian language and culture in the mid-20th century. She was born in 1920 and dedicated her life to ensuring the survival of Hawaiian traditions.

Another prominent figure with this name was Kailani Kauakahi, a renowned Hawaiian musician and composer who lived from 1932 to 2004. Her compositions, which blended traditional Hawaiian music with contemporary influences, have left a lasting impact on the island's musical landscape.

In the realm of literature, Kailani Koa was a celebrated Hawaiian author and poet who wrote extensively about the challenges faced by indigenous communities in the 20th century. Her poignant works, published between the 1950s and 1980s, shed light on the struggles of preserving cultural identity amidst rapid modernization.

Kailani Kanahele, born in 1968, is a contemporary Hawaiian activist and community leader who has been at the forefront of efforts to protect and reclaim ancestral lands and promote environmental conservation in Hawaii.

While the name Kailani has its roots in Hawaiian culture, it has gained popularity globally, particularly in recent decades, as a beautiful and meaningful name that evokes a connection to the natural world.

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 Kailani was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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