Girls · #60 in 2025
Leilani: Meaning, Origin & Popularity
- Origin
- Hawaiian
- Meaning
- Heavenly flowers or royal child; elements have several senses
- Pronunciation
- lay-LAH-nee
- Nickname options
- Lei, Lani
Origin and meaning
Leilani combines Hawaiian lei, which can refer to a lei, flowers, or a child, with lani, associated with sky, heaven, or royalty. Translations vary because the elements have several senses; heavenly flowers and royal child are common interpretations.
U.S. popularity
Leilani ranked #60 for girls in the United States in 2025, with 3,792 girls given this spelling. Its highest recorded U.S. rank was #59, reached in 2022. Historical coverage: 1880–2025. Peak refers to rank, not the largest number of births.
Source: Social Security Administration; historical peaks calculated from its national name files. Rankings count each spelling separately within the listed sex.
The Hello Baby Names take
Leilani has a beautifully lilting rhythm, with each syllable given room to breathe. It feels expressive without a hard edge, and Lani provides a friendly short form. Parents drawn to melodic names may appreciate how naturally the sounds move together.
Things to consider
Learn and use the pronunciation that fits the name's Hawaiian roots and your family's choice. Lani also works as an everyday shortening.
If you love Leilani, consider…
- Ailany: Offers a similar modern sound with a different history.
- Eliana: Keeps the flowing vowels and gentle consonants.
- Liliana: Adds a more elaborate romantic shape.
- Naomi: Offers another distinctive three-syllable rhythm.
- Alina: Makes the soft sound more compact.
- Malia: Keeps the open ending and gentle movement.
- Amara: Adds a warmer central consonant.
- Liana: Offers a shorter, similarly melodic choice.