"glorious sky, exalted heaven"
Keilani
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A Hawaiian name meaning heavenly glory
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
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Browse nicknames →The Story of Keilani
Keilani is a Hawaiian compound name blending 'kei' (honored, glorious) and 'lani' (sky, heaven, royalty). In Hawaiian culture, lani is one of the most sacred words — it refers simultaneously to the sky, the heavens, and the exalted status of chiefs. The name thus carries the dual meaning of celestial glory and noble honor, reflecting Hawaiian cosmology where the sky and divine authority are intertwined.
Keilani has grown steadily in the US over the past decade as Hawaiian names gain mainstream appeal. It exists in the shadow of the more common 'Leilani' but offers a distinctive alternative. The rising interest in Pacific Islander heritage names has contributed to its growth.
In Hawaiian culture, the word 'lani' is deeply sacred, associated with the sky gods and the ali'i (chiefly class). Names containing 'lani' were traditionally given only to those of high rank. Using Keilani today honors this tradition while making it accessible to modern families.
Historical Record
Keilani first appeared in US Social Security records in 1975.
Over 4,918 babies have been named Keilani in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Keilani is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #751 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In ancient Hawaii, only members of the ali'i (chiefly class) were traditionally given names containing 'lani' (sky/heaven)
- Hawaii has the highest proportion of residents with Hawaiian names in the United States
Keilani in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Keilani
Keilani Rickert
Athlete
1990
American volleyball player of Hawaiian descent who competed professionally
Keilani (character) Fictional
Other
A Hawaiian princess character appearing in various Pacific Islander folklore retellings
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #751
- Total SSA Count
- 374
- Cultural Origins
- Hawaiian Pacific Islander American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, American heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Keilani
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Keilani is also used as a boy name, ranked #43826.
View Keilani as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Hawaiian)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Keilani
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What is the origin of the name Keilani?
Is Keilani a boy or girl name?
How popular is the name Keilani?
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What are good middle names for Keilani?
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How many syllables does Keilani have?
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About the Name Keilani
Keilani is a girl name with Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and American origins . The name means "glorious sky, exalted heaven" in Hawaiian .
Is Keilani a boy or girl name? Keilani is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #751 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #43,826. Keilani is more commonly used as a girl name.
Keilani is currently ranked #751 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Keilani has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Keilani include Kei and Lani. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Keilani include Keily, Keilany, Keila, Keilyn, Keilah . 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