Fun Facts About the Name Nalani
- More than 7 thousand babies named Nalani: U.S. records list 7,948 babies given the name Nalani from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Nalani Mean?
Nalani is a Hawaiian name meaning "the heavens" or "the skies." It is formed from the Hawaiian plural definite article na and lani, which means "sky," "heaven," or "royal." In Hawaiian, lani can refer to the sky or heavens and also to something royal or chiefly, so the name can literally mean "the heavens" or "the skies," and by extension "the royals" or "the chiefs." It is sometimes interpreted more poetically as "calm skies" or "serenity of the heavens," though the Hawaiian word for calm is not part of the name. The spelling Nālani with a macron over the first a indicates a long vowel in Hawaiian.
Nalani Name History & Origins
Nalani is a traditional Hawaiian given name. Hawaiian names are typically composed of meaningful words, and Nalani follows this pattern by combining the plural definite article na with lani. The name is typically feminine and has been used in Hawaii for generations. In Hawaiian-language contexts, it is sometimes written with a macron as Nālani to mark the long vowel.
The name does not show notable changes between languages; it is borrowed into English essentially unchanged in spelling. It is used in Hawaii and has spread to the continental United States and other places where Hawaiian names are familiar. The element lani appears in many other Hawaiian names, such as Leilani and Liliʻuokalani, but Nalani is a distinct name with its own history of use.
How Popular is the Name Nalani?
Nalani recorded its highest annual U.S. birth count in 2025. Its best rank was #414 in 2025.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #414 | 754 | 0.0469% |
| 2024 | #529 | 575 | 0.0356% |
| 2023 | #591 | 507 | 0.0316% |
| 2022 | #559 | 547 | 0.0334% |
| 2021 | #596 | 502 | 0.0306% |
| 2020 | #593 | 490 | 0.0303% |
| 2019 | #640 | 456 | 0.0272% |
| 2018 | #706 | 413 | 0.0243% |
| 2017 | #816 | 335 | 0.0194% |
| 2016 | #988 | 269 | 0.0152% |
| 2015 | #1,282 | 190 | 0.0106% |
| 2014 | #1,389 | 166 | 0.0093% |
| 2013 | #1,285 | 184 | 0.0105% |
| 2012 | #1,116 | 223 | 0.0127% |
| 2011 | #1,207 | 199 | 0.0113% |
| 2010 | #1,155 | 211 | 0.0119% |
| 2009 | #1,473 | 158 | 0.0086% |
| 2008 | #1,651 | 137 | 0.0072% |
| 2007 | #1,331 | 183 | 0.0095% |
| 2006 | #1,588 | 136 | 0.0072% |
| 2005 | #1,571 | 130 | 0.0070% |
| 2004 | #1,514 | 134 | 0.0073% |
| 2003 | #1,577 | 123 | 0.0067% |
| 2002 | #2,059 | 84 | 0.0047% |
| 2001 | #2,350 | 68 | 0.0038% |
| 2000 | #3,054 | 46 | 0.0025% |
| 1999 | #2,277 | 66 | 0.0037% |
| 1998 | #2,876 | 46 | 0.0026% |
| 1997 | #4,093 | 27 | 0.0016% |
| 1996 | #4,833 | 21 | 0.0012% |
| 1995 | #4,312 | 24 | 0.0014% |
| 1994 | #3,585 | 31 | 0.0017% |
| 1993 | #4,487 | 23 | 0.0013% |
| 1992 | #4,185 | 25 | 0.0014% |
| 1991 | #4,016 | 26 | 0.0014% |
| 1990 | #3,597 | 30 | 0.0016% |
| 1989 | #3,455 | 30 | 0.0016% |
| 1988 | #4,267 | 21 | 0.0012% |
| 1987 | #4,224 | 20 | 0.0012% |
| 1986 | #4,891 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 1985 | #5,924 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1984 | #8,821 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1983 | #9,818 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1982 | #5,781 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1981 | #5,156 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1980 | #4,097 | 19 | 0.0011% |
| 1979 | #5,010 | 14 | 0.0009% |
| 1978 | #4,391 | 16 | 0.0010% |
| 1977 | #4,841 | 14 | 0.0009% |
| 1976 | #4,091 | 16 | 0.0011% |
| 1975 | #2,933 | 25 | 0.0017% |
| 1974 | #6,080 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 1973 | #5,452 | 10 | 0.0007% |
| 1972 | #7,920 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1971 | #8,007 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1970 | #5,682 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1969 | #7,201 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1968 | #7,813 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1967 | #5,301 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1966 | #4,757 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1965 | #6,294 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1964 | #6,536 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1963 | #6,373 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1962 | #7,256 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1961 | #5,162 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1959 | #6,931 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1958 | #5,908 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1957 | #5,232 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1956 | #5,757 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1953 | #6,277 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1952 | #5,368 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1951 | #3,915 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1950 | #3,863 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1948 | #4,109 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1946 | #4,294 | 7 | 0.0004% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Nalani Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have a vivid imagination who can bring inspired messages to the world. You like to enjoy the pleasures of life, and when self is overcome, you can rise to the heights. You have an ability to avoid trouble - that is why you often fails to learn from experiences. You are restless, sociable people-oriented, a lover of change, and a seeker of adventure and new thrills. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You find the best contentment in life when you own your own home and provide well for your family and loved ones. You have a great sense of responsibility and duty. You are comforting, appreciative and affectionate. Your obligation in life is to hold justice and truth, and if you follow the Law, you can find the great happiness and satisfaction.
✦ Nalani's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Nalani's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.