UK girl's name
Ilani
A feminine name of Hawaiian origin meaning "from heaven".
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.
Ilani is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Ilani 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 2002, with 3 births.
This profile covers 15 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2002 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 15 living people in the UK are called Ilani. 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
- • Ilani ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2002, when 3 girls were registered as Ilani.
- • About 15 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ilani 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
2002
3 births
Estimated living
15
2026
Meaning
What does Ilani mean?
The name Ilani is believed to have originated from the Hawaiian language, where it means "heaven" or "heavenly." This name traces its roots back to the ancient Polynesian cultures of the Pacific Islands, particularly in Hawaii.
The name Ilani is often associated with the Hawaiian goddess of the same name, who was revered as the goddess of the moon and fertility. In Hawaiian mythology, Ilani played a significant role in the creation stories and was considered a powerful deity.
While the name Ilani has its roots in the Hawaiian language, it has also been adopted and used in other cultures and languages over time. For instance, in some African cultures, the name Ilani is believed to have a similar meaning, referring to the heavens or the celestial realm.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ilani can be found in the Hawaiian oral traditions and chants that were passed down through generations. These ancient stories and songs often mentioned the goddess Ilani and her role in the Hawaiian pantheon.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Ilani:
1. Ilani Kama (1924-2015), a Hawaiian hula dancer and cultural practitioner who played a significant role in preserving and promoting traditional Hawaiian dance and customs.
2. Ilani Alaū (born 1951), a Hawaiian musician and composer known for her contributions to the Hawaiian Renaissance movement and her efforts in reviving traditional Hawaiian music.
3. Ilani Byrd (born 1986), an American professional basketball player who competed in the WNBA and overseas leagues.
4. Ilani Nihi (born 1989), a New Zealand rugby union player who represented the Black Ferns, the national women's rugby team.
5. Ilani Greenstein (born 1986), an Israeli entrepreneur and co-founder of the mobile gaming company Playtika.
These individuals, from different backgrounds and fields, have carried the name Ilani and contributed to their respective areas of expertise, further adding to the cultural significance and recognition of this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ilani over time
The chart below shows babies named Ilani registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 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 Ilani, the clearest high point is 2002. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ilani by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ilani 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 | #5780 | 6 | 2 |
| 2010s | #5688 | 6 | 2 |
| 2000s | #4137 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Ilani
- Isabella 58,822
- Isla 51,854
- Isabelle 46,163
- Imogen 33,758
- Ivy 23,306
- Isabel 20,895
- Isobel 19,706
- Iris 10,353
- India 8,371
- Iqra 4,452
- Indie 3,873
- Iona 3,682
FAQ
Ilani: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ilani in the UK right now?
In 2024, Ilani was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Ilani most popular?
The peak year on record was 2002, with 3 babies registered as Ilani in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ilani?
A feminine name of Hawaiian origin meaning "from heaven".
How many people are called Ilani in the UK?
A total of 15 babies have been registered as Ilani across the 5 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.