What Does the Name Leilani Mean?
Leilani joins two Hawaiian words: lei, the flower or shell garland used across the islands as a symbol of love, honor, and welcome, and lani, meaning 'sky' or 'heaven,' also carrying connotations of royalty. Together the name is usually translated as 'heavenly flowers' or 'royal child.'
The Origin & History of Leilani
Leis have long marked rank and celebration in Native Hawaiian culture, and Leilani draws directly on that tradition. The name entered the US top 1,000 in 1937, the same year the song 'Sweet Leilani,' recorded by Bing Crosby for the film Waikiki Wedding, brought it to mainland audiences.
Popularity in the United States
Leilani has remained among the 500 most popular US girls' names since 2001 and ranks around #75 today, with particularly strong use in Hawaii and among Black American families.
Personality & Traits
Leilani carries a warm, musical, celebratory feel, evoking the imagery of flowers, hospitality, and the islands themselves.
Leilani in Culture
Beyond 'Sweet Leilani,' the name appears throughout Hawaiian music and hula tradition as a poetic image of beauty and welcome, keeping it closely tied to its island origins even as it has spread across the mainland US.
Nicknames & Variations
Lani is the common short form, used as a standalone name in its own right. Leilany and Leelani are informal spelling variants seen in modern US birth records.