The story behind Nalani
Borrowing (or misspelling) from Hawaiian Nālani.
Pronunciation
English; dialect unspecified: /nəˈlɑni/
Popularity
Nalani ranked #414 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Nalani
Noelani
From noe (“mist”) + lani (“sky”) = "heavenly mist".
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends I
- same syllable count
- similar length
Hanalei
From Hana- (“Bay”, in compounds) + lei (“lei, necklace”), literally “crescent bay”.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends I
- same syllable count
- similar length
Haunani
hau (“snow”) + nani (“beauty”) = "beautiful snow", as on mountain tops in Hawaii.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends I
- same syllable count
- similar length
Hiʻilani
hiʻi (“carry in the arms”) + lani (“sky”) = "cherished or praised one".
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends I
- same syllable count
- similar length
Kaʻiulani
ka (“the”) + ʻiu (“sacred”) + lani (“sky”) = "the royal sacred one". Name of the last crown princess of Hawaii.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends I
- same syllable count
- similar length
Kalani
Borrowed from Hawaiian Kalani.
- Gender
- neutral
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends I
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Nalani
Hilo
Cognate of Māori Whiro, Rarotongan ʻiro and Tahitian Firo.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Hōkūlani
From hōkū (“star”) + lani (“sky”), literally “heavenly star”.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends I
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Kahealani
From ka (“the”) + hea (“mist; to call, name”) + lani (“sky”) = "the heavenly mist" or "the calling of heaven" .
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends I
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Nalani
Alana
Feminine form of Alan (from Alan + -a). In regular use since the 20th century. alana (“awakening”); the modern usage is reinforced by English Alana.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Anuhea
anuhea (“cool soft fragrance”), from anu (“coolness”) + hea (“mist”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Hiʻiaka
Borrowed from Hawaiian Hiʻiaka.
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length