"beauty, loveliness"
Origin: Hawaiian
Language: Hawaiian
Nani
Does Nani flow with your last name?
Hawaiian for beautiful — simple, warm, and universally lovely
Hawaiian
Japanese
African
English
Earthy
Gentle
Playful
Whimsical
Spiritual
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Things to Know About This Name
- In the Disney film Lilo & Stitch, Nani is Lilo's older sister — a beloved association for most parents but worth knowing
The Story of Nani
Nani is a Hawaiian word and name meaning beautiful or splendor. In Hawaiian culture, nani is used poetically in songs and chants to describe natural beauty — the beauty of a flower, a landscape, or a person. The word appears in the famous Hawaiian song 'Nani Wale' (Wondrous Beauty). In Japanese, Nani means 'what' (何) as a question word, giving the name a very different connotation in that culture. As a given name, Nani is used across Hawaiian, African, and global cultures.
Nani gained wide recognition through Disney's Lilo & Stitch (2002), where Nani is the brave older sister caring for Lilo in Hawaii. This positive portrayal in a beloved film has made the name warmly associated with Polynesian culture, strength, and family loyalty in the minds of Western parents.
In Hawaiian culture, naming a child Nani bestows beauty as a blessing. Hawaii's connection to natural beauty — volcanic landscapes, tropical flowers, ocean — makes a name meaning beautiful deeply resonant. The name also appears in Swahili as 'nani' meaning 'who,' and as a term of endearment in various cultures.
Historical Record
Nani first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 656 babies have been named Nani in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Nani is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #5,102 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Nani appears in over 200 traditional Hawaiian songs and chants as the word for beauty
- Disney's Nani from Lilo & Stitch is one of the few Disney protagonists who is a big sister rather than a princess
- In Hawaiian culture, nani wale means 'wondrous beauty' or 'beautiful for no reason' — spontaneous, unmotivated beauty
Nani in Other Languages
Italian
Nani
Spanish
Nani
Swahili
Nani (who)
Hawaiian
Nani
Japanese
ナニ (what)
Popularity Over Time
#5,102
Current Rank
Rare
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Nani
N
Nani (footballer)
Athlete
1986
Portuguese footballer Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha, known as Nani, who played for Manchester United and Portugal
N
Nani Mo'o
Musician
Hawaiian musician and cultural practitioner known for traditional Hawaiian chant and song
N
Nani Pelekai Fictional
Other
The brave, devoted older sister in Disney's Lilo & Stitch (2002), one of Disney's most celebrated big-sister characters
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,102
- Total SSA Count
- 26
- Cultural Origins
- Hawaiian Japanese African English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Nan
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Hawaiian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Nani
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (Hawaiian)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Nani
What does the name Nani mean?
"beauty, loveliness" (from Hawaiian). Nani is a Hawaiian word and name meaning beautiful or splendor. In Hawaiian culture, nani is used poetically in songs and chants to describe natural beauty — the beauty of a flower, a landscape, or a person. The word appears in the famous Hawaiian song 'Nani Wale' (Wondrous Beauty). In Japanese, Nani means 'what' (何) as a question word, giving the name a very different connotation in that culture. As a given name, Nani is used across Hawaiian, African, and global cultures.
What is the origin of the name Nani?
Nani has Hawaiian, Japanese, African, and English origins. In Hawaiian, it means "beauty, loveliness".
Is Nani a boy or girl name?
Nani is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Nani?
Nani is currently ranked #5102 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Nani?
Common nicknames for Nani include Nan.
What are good middle names for Nani?
Popular middle name pairings include Nani Leilani, Nani Grace, Nani Marie, Nani Rose, Nani Jade, Nani Kai, and Nani Luna.
What are good sibling names for Nani?
Names that pair well with Nani as siblings include Leilani, Kaia, Maile, Keanu, Kai, Mia, Luna, and Aria.
How many syllables does Nani have?
Nani has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Nani a common or rare name?
Nani is an uncommon name, ranked #5102 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Nani?
Are there other spellings for Nani?
Related spellings include Nancy.
About the Name Nani
Nani is a girl name with Hawaiian, Japanese, African, and English origins . The name means "beauty, loveliness" in Hawaiian .
Nani is currently ranked #5,102 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Nani has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Nani include Nan. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Nani include Nancy . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis