UK girl's name
Elani
A feminine name of Hawaiian origin meaning "bright and shining".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Elani is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Elani popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 6 births.
This profile covers 50 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 2004 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 50 living people in the UK are called Elani. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Elani ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 6 girls were registered as Elani.
- • About 50 living people in the UK are estimated to have Elani as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5891
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
2011
6 births
Estimated living
50
2026
Meaning
What does Elani mean?
The name Elani is believed to have its origins in the Hawaiian language. It is a variation of the Hawaiian name Elani, which means "bright" or "shining." The name likely emerged in the late 18th century or early 19th century, as Hawaiian names began to be more widely documented and recorded.
One of the earliest known references to the name Elani can be found in the Hawaiian language newspaper "Ka Nupepa Kuokoa," which was published in the late 19th century. The name was occasionally mentioned in articles and stories, suggesting that it was in use at that time.
While the name Elani does not appear to be directly linked to any specific historical figures or events in Hawaiian history, its meaning of "bright" or "shining" may have been inspired by the Hawaiian reverence for the sun and its importance in their cultural traditions.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Elani was Elani Kahaulelio, a Hawaiian woman born in the late 19th century. She was a prominent figure in the preservation of Hawaiian language and culture.
Another notable individual was Elani Pomaikai, a Hawaiian musician and composer who lived in the early 20th century. She was known for her contributions to the development of traditional Hawaiian music.
In the realm of literature, Elani Kanahele was a celebrated Hawaiian novelist and poet active in the mid-20th century. Her works explored themes of cultural identity and the Hawaiian experience.
Elani Kalili was a prominent Hawaiian activist and advocate for indigenous rights in the late 20th century. She played a significant role in raising awareness about issues affecting Native Hawaiian communities.
Elani Kealoha was a respected Hawaiian educator and scholar who dedicated her life to teaching and preserving the Hawaiian language and culture in the latter half of the 20th century.
While the name Elani has Hawaiian origins, it has gained popularity in various parts of the world, particularly in recent decades. However, its historical roots and cultural significance can be traced back to the Hawaiian Islands and the rich heritage of the indigenous people.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Elani over time
The chart below shows babies named Elani registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2004 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Elani, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Elani by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Elani was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #5201 | 14 | 4 |
| 2010s | #4413 | 24 | 5 |
| 2000s | #4147 | 12 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Elani
- Emily 121,621
- Ella 69,101
- Ellie 63,522
- Evie 52,944
- Emma 50,755
- Eleanor 40,576
- Elizabeth 39,225
- Erin 34,816
- Eva 29,738
- Evelyn 26,911
- Elsie 23,671
- Emilia 22,167
FAQ
Elani: questions and answers
How popular is the name Elani in the UK right now?
In 2024, Elani was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Elani most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 6 babies registered as Elani in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Elani?
A feminine name of Hawaiian origin meaning "bright and shining".
How many people are called Elani in the UK?
A total of 50 babies have been registered as Elani across the 12 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.