A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Lani since 1917
Babies named Lani per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 10 |
| 1930s | 31 |
| 1940s | 596 |
| 1950s | 894 |
| 1960s | 887 |
| 1970s | 911 |
| 1980s | 838 |
| 1990s | 691 |
| 2000s | 1,144 |
| 2010s | 762 |
| 2020s | 604 |
Meaning & origin
Lani is a Hawaiian name meaning 'heaven' or 'sky,' first recorded in the U.S. in 1917. It saw its peak popularity in 1979, and has been rising in use since 1997. As of 2025, it ranks 1,592 with about 1 in 12,269 newborns receiving the name. Its revival over the past few decades reflects a broader interest in Hawaiian culture and short, melodic names. The name is most common in states with larger Hawaiian populations, led by Indiana, Florida, and California.
Lani is a Hawaiian name meaning 'heaven,' 'sky,' or 'royal.' It is also used as a short form of longer Hawaiian names such as Leilani ('heavenly flower'). The name has been adopted in the mainland United States since the early 20th century, with a notable peak in popularity during the 1970s.
Where Lani 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lan
Sibling names for Lani
Names that share Lani's style, for a brother or sister.
