Find out how popular the last name Kalani is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Kalani.

Kalani, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Kalani surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kalani in America

Kalani is the 41359th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kalani surname appeared 526 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Kalani.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kalani to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Kalani

The surname Kalani has its origins in the Hawaiian language, where it is derived from the words "kala" meaning "the sun" and "ani" meaning "calm or peaceful." The name is believed to have emerged in the Hawaiian Islands as early as the 16th century, with some records indicating its presence during the reign of King Kamehameha I in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Historically, the name Kalani was associated with the Hawaiian nobility and chieftains, often bestowed upon individuals of high rank or significance within the island's social structure. It was a name that carried a sense of reverence and respect, reflecting the importance of the sun and its calming presence in the Hawaiian culture.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Kalani can be found in the Hawaiian genealogical chants and oral traditions, where it is mentioned in connection with various prominent figures of the time. However, it is important to note that written records from this period are relatively scarce, as the Hawaiian language was primarily an oral tradition until the arrival of Western missionaries in the early 19th century.

Among the notable individuals who bore the surname Kalani, one can mention Kalani Pauahi Bishop (1832-1884), a member of the Hawaiian royal family and an influential philanthropist who established the Kamehameha Schools, which continue to provide education to Native Hawaiian children today. Another prominent figure was Kalani Huihui (1857-1925), a renowned Hawaiian scholar and translator who played a crucial role in preserving the Hawaiian language and culture.

In the early 20th century, the surname Kalani gained wider recognition through the work of Kalani Brickwood (1894-1978), a Hawaiian musician and composer who helped popularize traditional Hawaiian music both within and beyond the islands. Additionally, Kalani Recca (1923-2008), a Hawaiian artist and educator, made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Hawaiian art and culture.

Kalani Queypo (1929-2017), a Hawaiian activist and leader, was instrumental in the Hawaiian Renaissance movement, advocating for the rights and sovereignty of the Native Hawaiian people. His efforts played a vital role in the revival and celebration of Hawaiian culture and traditions.

While the surname Kalani has its roots in the Hawaiian Islands, it has since spread across the globe, with individuals bearing this name residing in various parts of the world. However, its deep connections to the Hawaiian culture and history remain an integral part of its significance and meaning.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kalani

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Kalani.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Kalani was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Kalani has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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