Aulii
A girl's name of Hawaiian origin with 42 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Aulii reads as a modern invention — a name that emerged in the 1990s and was likely coined by parents looking for something fresh rather than inherited.
The open, approachable quality of its ending — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression — keeps the name compact and easy to pair with longer middle names or surnames.
Aulii is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Aulii is a girl's baby name of Hawaiian origin, meaning 'dainty' or 'delicate,' associated with elegance and refinement in Hawaiian culture.
The name gained a degree of visibility through actress Auli'i Cravalho, the voice of Disney's Moana (2016), who brought Hawaiian heritage to a global audience. While still rare, Aulii carries the warmth and musicality characteristic of Hawaiian names.
EtymologyShow more
Aulii appeared in SSA records in 1997, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Hawaiian roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 42 recorded births, Aulii has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Aulii has 8+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1997.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 11 | #14569 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 15 | #16276 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 11 | #15697 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 5 | #13970 | — |
The Story of Aulii
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2007, Aulii is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Aulii are most likely born between 1997 and 2017.
How rare is Aulii?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Aulii is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1997, peaked in the 2010s with 15 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(8 years, 1997–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | #15484 |
| 2020 | 6 | #13653 |
| 2019 | 5 | #15839 |
| 2017 | 5 | #16215 |
| 2015 | 5 | #16774 |
| 2007 | 6 | #15746 |
| 2001 | 5 | #15647 |
| 1997 | 5 | #13970 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aulii a boy's or girl's name?
When was Aulii most popular?
How popular is the name Aulii?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1997–2023