How to say it
ma · LA · ni
məˈlɑː.ni
Feminine
Malani
Calm, peaceful skies
What it means
A Hawaiian-rooted name for calm, clear skies, also read as an elaboration of Melanie.
Malani draws on the Hawaiian sense of malani, calm and clear, peaceful skies. It also reads as a softer cousin of Melanie, from the Greek for 'dark.' Either way it lands in the lush -lani family with Leilani and Kailani. Gentle and sunny, said muh-LAH-nee.
How to spell Malani
The standard spelling is Malani. Common variants include Malanie, Malania, Melani, but Malani is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #330 in 2024, currently #374 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
In the Hawaiian -lani family; also an elaboration of Melanie.
Spelling variants
- Malanie
- Malania
- Melani
Names with the same feeling
See Malani from another angle
By meaning
Common questions
- What does the name Malani mean?
- A Hawaiian-rooted name for calm, clear skies, also read as an elaboration of Melanie.
- What does Malani mean in Hawaiian?
- In Hawaiian, Malani means "Calm, peaceful skies." Malani draws on the Hawaiian sense of malani, calm and clear, peaceful skies. It also reads as a softer cousin of Melanie, from the Greek for 'dark.' Either way it lands in the lush -lani family with Leilani and Kailani. Gentle and sunny, said muh-LAH-nee.
- How do you pronounce Malani?
- Malani is pronounced məˈlɑː.ni. Say it as ma-LA-ni, with the stress on the "la" syllable.
- How do you spell Malani?
- The standard spelling is Malani. Common spelling variants include Malanie, Malania, Melani.
- Is Malani a boy or girl name?
- Malani is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Malani?
- Malani ranked #374 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.