Rising since 1993, #185 for girls today.
Popularity of Kaylani since 1987
Babies named Kaylani per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 26 |
| 1990s | 126 |
| 2000s | 866 |
| 2010s | 3,369 |
| 2020s | 7,490 |
Meaning & origin
Kaylani entered the U.S. naming landscape in 1987, a late entrant to the wave of melodic, vowel-ending names that defined the late 20th century. Despite a slow start, it has climbed steadily since 1993, reaching its peak rank of 185 in 2025 with a frequency of 1 in 960 births. The name is most popular in Rhode Island, Delaware, and Nevada, reflecting a scattered but dedicated following. Kaylani remains a modern invention without deep etymological roots, but its rhythmic syllables and soft ending have secured a place in contemporary American naming.
Kaylani first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1987, likely as a creative blend of the popular name Kayla and the Hawaiian-sounding suffix -lani, seen in names like Leilani. The name rose steadily in use throughout the 1990s and 2000s, reflecting a broader trend for melodic, feminine names with a tropical flair. It has no established meaning outside its phonetic construction.
Where Kaylani is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Kaylani” around the world
Where Kaylani lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kay, Lani, Kay Kay
Sibling names for Kaylani
Names that share Kaylani's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Kaylani
Names whose popularity has moved with Kaylani's over the last 50 years.
