How to say it
mei · LAN · i
meɪˈlɑː.ni
Feminine
Meilani
Heavenly
What it means
A modern name built from Hawaiian 'lani', 'heaven' or 'sky', usually read as 'heavenly flower.'
Meilani is a modern name assembled from Hawaiian elements rather than a traditional Hawaiian name. The clear piece is 'lani,' meaning 'heaven' or 'sky,' which anchors many Hawaiian names. The 'mei' element is read a few ways, most often as 'flower' or the month of May, so the whole is usually glossed as 'heavenly flower.' No old Hawaiian Meilani is documented, and the blend most likely took shape in modern English-speaking usage for its soft sound and sunny meaning. It entered the US top 1000 around 2015 and rose from rank 814 to 591 in the 2025 data.
How to spell Meilani
The standard spelling is Meilani. Common variants include Mailani, Maileny, Leilani, but Meilani is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #591 in 2025, currently #591 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
- Pronunciation
may-LAH-nee, stress on the middle syllable.
Spelling variants
- Mailani
- Maileny
- Leilani
Names with the same feeling
See Meilani from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Meilani mean?
- A modern name built from Hawaiian 'lani', 'heaven' or 'sky', usually read as 'heavenly flower.'
- What does Meilani mean in Hawaiian?
- In Hawaiian, Meilani means "Heavenly." Meilani is a modern name assembled from Hawaiian elements rather than a traditional Hawaiian name. The clear piece is 'lani,' meaning 'heaven' or 'sky,' which anchors many Hawaiian names. The 'mei' element is read a few ways, most often as 'flower' or the month of May, so the whole is usually glossed as 'heavenly flower.' No old Hawaiian Meilani is documented, and the blend most likely took shape in modern English-speaking usage for its soft sound and sunny meaning. It entered the US top 1000 around 2015 and rose from rank 814 to 591 in the 2025 data.
- How do you pronounce Meilani?
- Meilani is pronounced meɪˈlɑː.ni. Say it as mei-LAN-i, with the stress on the "lan" syllable.
- How do you spell Meilani?
- The standard spelling is Meilani. Common spelling variants include Mailani, Maileny, Leilani.
- Is Meilani a boy or girl name?
- Meilani is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Meilani?
- Meilani ranked #591 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.