MallowbyNames

Mililani

mee-lee-LAH-nee · A Hawaiian place name meaning 'beloved' or 'caress', but primarily refers to a town on Oahu.

2025 rank (girls)
#6,546
Babies named in 2025
17
Peak popularity
2025
2025 frequency
1 in 94,545 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 2013

Rising since 2013, #6,546 for girls today.

Popularity of Mililani since 2002

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

6111720102020Most births 2020Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
2000s15
2010s68
2020s64

Meaning & origin

Mililani is a Hawaiian place name that has gained traction as a given name in the United States since the early 2000s, reflecting a broader trend of using melodic, culturally meaningful names from the Hawaiian Islands. First recorded in 2002, the name ranked 6,546th in 2025, with an estimated 1 in 94,545 girls receiving it and only 5 per 100,000 newborns. It has been on a steady rise since 2013, with a peak year in 2025, suggesting increasing appeal among parents seeking a name that evokes nature and serenity. The name is most commonly found in California (CA), where Hawaiian names often see greater use due to cultural ties and geographic proximity. While the etymology is rooted in the Hawaiian language, its modern popularity owes much to the similar-sounding names like Leilani and Kailani, which have also risen in usage in recent decades.

Mililani is a Hawaiian place name, notably a town on the island of Oahu. It is derived from Hawaiian elements: 'mili' meaning 'to caress' or 'to fondle', and 'lani' meaning 'sky' or 'heaven', often interpreted poetically as 'beloved heaven'. The name has been used as a given name, particularly for girls, since the early 2000s, influenced by the popularity of Hawaiian names and place names in the mainland United States.

Where Mililani is most popular

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

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Mili, Lani

Sibling names for Mililani

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

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

M is for Mililani, our favorite little girl.

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Questions parents ask

What does the name Mililani mean?
Mililani is a Hawaiian place name meaning 'beloved caress of heaven' or 'heavenly caress', derived from 'mili' (to caress) and 'lani' (heaven/sky).
How popular is the name Mililani?
As of 2025, Mililani ranked 6,546th in the U.S., with about 1 in 94,545 newborn girls given that name. It first appeared in 2002 and has been rising in popularity, particularly since 2013.
Is Mililani a boy or girl name?
Mililani is used almost exclusively for girls, though Hawaiian place names can be unisex.