Names › Girls' names › K › Kehlani
Kehlani
Meaning: uncertain; variant of Kailani or Kalani · Origin: Hawaiian / modern · Gender: usually a girl's name
Origin & history
Kehlani is a modern spelling associated with Kailani or Kalani; its precise meaning is uncertain. Singer Kehlani helped popularize this form.
Popularity of Kehlani in the US, 1880–2025
2025: 1,981 US baby girls named Kehlani — #148 for girls · Peak: 1,981 in 2025 · 1950: fewer than 5 · 2000: fewer than 5 · 2020: 1,713
Source: US Social Security Administration (SSA) national baby-name data, 1880–2025 (names.zip). Counts are babies of that gender given exactly this spelling each year; SSA leaves out a name in any year with fewer than 5 births.
How to pronounce Kehlani
keh-LAH-nee · IPA /kəˈlɑːni/ (common American English pronunciation)
Language of origin
Modern American usage; etymology uncertain
How the meaning and use of Kehlani developed
Kehlani is a contemporary name popularized in the US; its exact source and pronunciation are not securely established.
Related names from the same root
Kelani · Kalani
Sibling names that go well with Kehlani
Sister: Alani · Ailany
Brother: Amari · Zayden
Our editorial suggestions — similar era, style and length — chosen from names with full pages on this site.
Famous people named Kehlani
- Kehlani (singer)
Nicknames
Kehl
Variants & related names
Kailani, Kalani
Kehlani name art
A free preview of a printable “Kehlani” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
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FAQ
What does the name Kehlani mean?
Kehlani means “uncertain; variant of Kailani or Kalani”. It comes from Hawaiian / modern.
How do you pronounce Kehlani?
Kehlani is usually pronounced keh-LAH-nee (/kəˈlɑːni/).
Is Kehlani a popular name?
In 2025, Kehlani ranked #148 among girls' names in the United States, given to 1,981 baby girls, according to US Social Security Administration data. Its peak year was 2025 (1,981 babies).
What are nicknames for Kehlani?
Kehl.
What are other forms of Kehlani?
Kailani, Kalani.
What are good sibling names for Kehlani?
Sister: Alani, Ailany. Brother: Amari, Zayden.
Similar names
Ailany · Alani · Leilani · Kinsley · Kennedy · Katherine
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Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.