Neilani

“heavenly lei”

Hawaii origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#4959US 2023

27Births / yr

↑Rising

160All-time births

📅 Since 200500

How to pronounce Neilani

NAY·EE·lun·EE

/ˈneɪ.ˈiː.lən.ˈiː/ · stress on NAY · 4 syllables

“heavenly lei”

Hawaii origin · Girl name

What does Neilani mean and where does it come from?

Neilani is a name of Hawaiian origin, where 'nei' translates to 'heavenly' and 'lani' means 'sky' or 'heaven.' As a combination, it signifies a 'heavenly lei,' evoking images of beauty and grace. This name highlights the importance of nature and beauty in Hawaiian culture. It has been gaining popula

Cultural significance

Neilani has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Hawaii-speaking communities, where it reflects values of heavenly lei.

Peak popularity

Reached #6218 in 2017 — currently #4959 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Neilani?

Neilani works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Neilani Grace

How popular is Neilani right now?

Rising fast — up 963 spots — currently #4959 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 2005–2023#4959 · Top 3.7%

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#4959	27	▲ up 963 · +29% births
2022	#5922	21	▲ up 1987 · +50% births
2021	#7909	14	▲ up 318 · +8% births
2020	#8227	13	▲ up 608
2015	#8835	13	▲ up 3278 · +44% births
2010	#12113	9	▲ up 4273 · +50% births
2005	#16386	6	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Neilani

Best Year2023Rank #4959

Peak Count27

Average Rank#9193

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range2005 - 20237 years

The story of Neilani

Neilani is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 2005. With 160 total births recorded, Neilani remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #16386 in 2005 to #4959 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Neilani in 2017:

Emma Olivia Ava Isabella Sophia

Neilani by decade

Neilani peaked in the 2010s. See all 2010s names →

Decade	Births
2000s	28
2010s ★	119
2020s	13

💎Neilani has only 160 total recorded births since 2005 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Neilani?

Common

NeiNeilNeilieNeilyAni

What names sound and feel like Neilani?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Neilani also consider these

Leilani

Hawaii · Heavenly flower

Nelani

Hawaii · Hawaiian

Neolani

Hawaii · Heavenly mist

Keilani

Hawaii · Hawaiian

Yeilani

Hawaii · The name can

Neylani

Hawaiian-speaking regions · heavenly cloud

Nailani

Hawaii · Heavenly mist

Jeilani

Arabic · Arabic

Common questions about the name Neilani

What does the name Neilani mean?

Neilani means "heavenly lei" — a name rooted in Hawaii tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Neilani?

Neilani is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Neilani have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Neilani?

Neilani originates from Hawaii tradition. Hawaii names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Neilani?

Neilani is a four-syllable name pronounced N EY1 IY1 L AH0 N IY1. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

What sibling names go well with Neilani?

Neilani pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Hawaii heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.