Declining since 2020, #6,838 for girls today.
Popularity of Kilani since 1988
Babies named Kilani per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 16 |
| 2000s | 21 |
| 2010s | 133 |
| 2020s | 106 |
Meaning & origin
Kilani is a modern, rare name that first appeared on U.S. records in 1988. Its usage peaked in 2019, but since 2020 it has been declining in popularity. In 2025, the name ranked 6,838th with approximately 1 in 100,454 baby girls receiving it. The name's origins are unclear; it may be an inventive respelling or blend of Hawaiian-inspired names like Leilani or Kalani, typical of the modern trend for melodic, vowel-ending names. Kilani has not broken into the top baby name lists and has had no significant geographic concentration, as no states reported it as particularly popular. Its trajectory suggests a niche appeal, and it remains a distinctive choice for parents seeking an uncommon name.
Kilani is a modern name that first appeared in the United States in 1988. It may be a respelling or elaboration of names like Leilani or Kalani, combined with a fashionable -i suffix. Its usage has been sporadic, with a peak in 2019, and it is predominantly given to girls.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kiki, Lani, Kila
Sibling names for Kilani
Names that share Kilani's style, for a brother or sister.
