L
Feminine
Hawaiian
Meaning & History
Lani is a Hawaiian given name meaning "sky, heaven, royal, majesty" in the Hawaiian language. As a unisex name (though more common for females, especially in the United States), it derives directly from the Hawaiian word lani, which denotes both the physical sky and concepts of heavenly or royal stature. In Hawaiian culture, the word lani appears frequently in poetic and chiefly contexts, associating the bearer with nobility and divine prestige.
Historically, lani is a common element in traditional Hawaiian compound names, such as Leilani ("heavenly lei") or Keilani ("glorious heaven"). Lani itself often functions as a shortening of these longer names, making it both a standalone given name and a familiar diminutive. While its roots are firmly Hawaiian, the name gained visibility in mainland US throughout the 20th century, partly through cultural exchange and the general appeal of Hawaiian names. It has been used for both girls (predominantly) and boys in the US, though its Hawaiian roots do not assign a specific gender.
Notably, Lani also refers to an indigenous people in the highlands of Papua, Indonesia (specifically the Lani people of Puncak, Central Papua and Lanny Jaya, Highland Papua). The word in this context is unrelated to the Hawaiian name and appears to be a distinct cultural identifier. However, in English-speaking contexts, the given name is almost exclusively tied to the Hawaiian etymology.
Key Facts
Historically, lani is a common element in traditional Hawaiian compound names, such as Leilani ("heavenly lei") or Keilani ("glorious heaven"). Lani itself often functions as a shortening of these longer names, making it both a standalone given name and a familiar diminutive. While its roots are firmly Hawaiian, the name gained visibility in mainland US throughout the 20th century, partly through cultural exchange and the general appeal of Hawaiian names. It has been used for both girls (predominantly) and boys in the US, though its Hawaiian roots do not assign a specific gender.
Notably, Lani also refers to an indigenous people in the highlands of Papua, Indonesia (specifically the Lani people of Puncak, Central Papua and Lanny Jaya, Highland Papua). The word in this context is unrelated to the Hawaiian name and appears to be a distinct cultural identifier. However, in English-speaking contexts, the given name is almost exclusively tied to the Hawaiian etymology.
Key Facts
- Meaning: "sky, heaven, royal, majesty"
- Origin: Hawaiian, from the word lani
- Type: Unisex given name (more common for females)
- Usage regions: Hawaii, United States
Sources: Wiktionary — Lani