MallowbyNames

Khalani

Khalanikah-LAH-nee · Of uncertain origin; possibly a modern coinage influenced by Hawaiian names like Kalani or a creative respelling of Kehlani.

2025 rank (girls)
#904
Babies named in 2025
293
Peak popularity
2021
2025 frequency
1 in 5,486 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 2002

Rising since 2002, #904 for girls today.

Popularity of Khalani since 2000

Babies named Khalani per year in U.S. Social Security records.

106213319200020102020Most births 2021Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
2000s54
2010s793
2020s1,824

Meaning & origin

Khalani entered the U.S. naming landscape in 2000 and has been climbing in popularity ever since. By 2025, it ranked 904th, with about 1 in 5,486 newborns given the name. Its peak year came in 2021, marking a high point in a steady upward trajectory that began around 2002. The name is most popular in southern states, particularly Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia. While its exact etymology is uncertain, Khalani fits a pattern of modern invented names that blend melodic sounds with familiar elements, giving it a contemporary appeal without deep historical roots.

Khalani first appeared in U.S. birth records in the year 2000. Its exact derivation is unclear, but it likely emerged as a modern invented name, combining the fashionable suffix -ani with the initial element Khal-, possibly inspired by names like Khalid or Kehlani. The name has steadily risen in use since 2002, peaking in popularity in 2021.

Where Khalani is most popular

Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few births

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Khali, Lani, Kiki

Variants: Kehlani, Kalani, Khalani

Sibling names for Khalani

Names that share Khalani's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

K is for Khalani, our favorite little girl.

K is for Khalani…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Khalani's letter becomes Khalani's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Khalani's book

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Questions parents ask

What does the name Khalani mean?
The meaning of Khalani is not definitively known. It is believed to be a modern invention, possibly drawing on Hawaiian elements (like Kalani, meaning 'the sky' or 'the heavens') or as a variant of Kehlani, which itself gained popularity through the singer Kehlani.
How popular is the name Khalani?
As of 2025, Khalani ranked 904th in the United States, with approximately 1 in 5,486 newborns receiving the name. Its popularity peaked in 2021.
Is Khalani a boy or girl name?
Khalani is predominantly used for girls, though it has occasionally been given to boys.