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GirlOrigin debated3 syllables

Kehlani

Meaning: not confirmed (origin debated)

About the name Kehlani

The origin of Kehlani is debated, and we couldn't confirm its meaning from a sourced etymology. A commonly cited theory links it to Hawaiian roots, with the meaning “Sea and sky”. Treat that as a theory, not a settled fact.

Why we say this: we only state a meaning as fact when a sourced etymology (Wiktionary, with its references) supports it. For Kehlani we didn't find one we were confident in, so we show the popular explanation as a theory.

It has a modern feel. In 2025, Kehlani ranked #149 for girls in the US, with 1,981 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 2025. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Kehlani were girls.

US rank 2025
#149
In 2015
#3279
Babies in 2025
1,981

Popularity of Kehlani, 1940–2025

04959911.5k2.0k19401960198020002020
Girls BoysBabies per year in the US

Latest SSA data: 2025.

Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).

Nicknames for Kehlani

  • Lani

Names similar to Kehlani

Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.