Kulani
A girl's name of Hawaiian origin with 23 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Kulani reads as a modern invention — a name that emerged in the 2010s 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 — gives it a distinctive rhythm that pairs well with shorter middle names or surnames.
Kulani is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Kulani is a girl's baby name of Hawaiian origin. In Hawaiian, kulani can mean 'the heavenly one,' 'the elevated one,' or 'reminiscent of heaven' — derived from ku (to stand, to be) and lani (sky, heaven, royal). Lani alone is a beloved Hawaiian name element meaning 'heavenly, sky, royalty.'
Kulani has the flowing, vowel-rich quality characteristic of Hawaiian names — four syllables, all open, with a natural musicality that makes it easy and pleasant to say. It carries the warmth and the wide-open sky of the Hawaiian islands in its very sound, a name that feels naturally peaceful and elevated.
EtymologyShow more
Kulani appeared in SSA records in 2017, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly draw from global cultures, invent new names, and blend sounds to create something entirely original. Its Hawaiian roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 23 recorded births, Kulani has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Kulani has 4+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2017.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 10 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 13 | — |
The Story of Kulani
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2017, Kulani is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Kulani are most likely born between 2017 and 2022.
How rare is Kulani?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Kulani is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2017, peaked in the 2010s with 13 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(4 years, 2017–2022)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | #16604 |
| 2021 | 5 | #16574 |
| 2019 | 6 | #14761 |
| 2017 | 7 | #13454 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kulani a boy's or girl's name?
When was Kulani most popular?
How popular is the name Kulani?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2017–2022