Declining since 2020, #8,860 for girls today.
Popularity of Hanalei since 2000
Babies named Hanalei per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 46 | 0 |
| 2010s | 141 | 10 |
| 2020s | 85 | 6 |
Meaning & origin
Hanalei is a Hawaiian place name that entered the U.S. baby name charts in the year 2000, reflecting a broader trend of nature-inspired and culturally evocative names. In 2025 it ranked 8,860, with approximately 1 in 146,115 newborn girls receiving the name. Its highest popularity came in 2019, before entering a decline that has continued since 2020. While not concentrated in any single state, its usage is most common in regions with ties to Hawaiian culture or a preference for melodic, vowel-heavy names. The name embodies the allure of Hawaiian geography and has gained modest but steady recognition among parents seeking distinctive yet meaningful choices.
Hanalei is a place name in Hawaii, specifically a bay on the island of Kauai. The name may combine 'hana' (meaning 'bay' or 'work') and 'lei' (meaning 'lei' or 'garland'), possibly referring to the shape of the bay. It has been used as a given name in the United States since the late 20th century, inspired by Hawaiian culture and geography.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Hana, Lei, Nani
Sibling names for Hanalei
Names that share Hanalei's style, for a brother or sister.
