Kalili as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Kalili

What is the meaning of the name Kalili ?

The baby name Kalili is a Unisex name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced kah-LEE-lee (approx. /kaˈli.li/).

Kalili is Hawaiian, Polynesian in Origin.

Kalili is a multicultural given name with two main etymological paths. As a simplified form of Arabic Khalili (from Khalīl, “intimate friend, beloved companion”), it carries the sense of loyalty and closeness; Khalili also functions as a nisba surname meaning “of/descended from Khalil” and “from al‑Khalil” (Hebron). In a Polynesian context, the sound pattern fits Hawaiian naming, where the element Lili appears in royal names such as Liliʻuokalani; there it is chosen chiefly for its melodious repetition rather than a strict lexical meaning.

Documented as a modern given name since the late 20th century in the United States - especially in Hawaii and among families with Arabic or Pacific ties - Kalili is used for girls more often but can be unisex. Variant forms and cognates include Khalili, Kalila/Khalila, and Al‑Khalili; pet names include Kali and Lili. The name’s appeal lies in its gentle cadence and cross‑cultural resonance.

⚙ Kalili is a rare name. Our records hold just 52 recorded uses, spread over 17 countries.