Leilani as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Leilani

What is the meaning of the name Leilani ?

The baby name Leilani is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /leɪˈlɑːni/ (lay-LAH-nee).

Leilani is Hawaiian in Origin.

Leilani is a Hawaiian given name formed from lei “garland, wreath; lei of flowers” and lani “heaven, sky; royal, exalted,” yielding meanings such as “heavenly garland,” “lei of the heavens,” or “royal child adorned with lei.” In Hawaiian, lani often signals reverence or sacredness, giving the name a tender, poetic aura tied to natural beauty and honor.

The name entered English-language circles in the early 20th century and spread widely after the 1937 hit song "Sweet Leilani," which won an Academy Award and boosted U.S. usage. It has since enjoyed periodic revivals, rising again in the 2000s to 2020s with broader interest in Island heritage names. Common spellings and variants include Lailani, Laylani, Leilany, and Leilanie; familiar short forms are Lei and Lani. Related Hawaiian names sharing -lani include Noelani, Mahinalani, and Kalani. Cross-culturally friendly, Leilani preserves its lilting vowels while keeping its core sense of beauty honored by the heavens.