By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 280 pages
of 280
Maori, Arabic, Hebrew
"the East wind; king, ruler; treetop"
The fastest-rising boy name of 2021 is now among the fastest-rising girl names of 2022, both thanks to the rise of luxury fashion brand AMIRI. A commonly used name in Māori culture, Amiri refers to…
Hawaiian, spelling variation of Leilani
"heavenly flower"
With the melodic Leilani in the US Top 100, and gaining traction across the pond in the UK too, alternative spellings have naturally come into use. Leilany and Laylani are currently the more popular…
Spelling variation of Corey, English, African, Hebrew
"from the hollow; lamb; coral"
This variation of Corey has a Kardashian-style spelling update -- which might be why it's experiencing a boost in popularity of late. Kori is also a Kikuyu name meaning lamb, one of the many names…
Spelling variation of Harmony
With Harmony on the rise, this spelling variation is getting some attention as well. It was a newcomer to the US Top 1000 in 2015 and has remained in the latter end of the charts ever since.
Basque
"from Nájera; town between rocks"
Subtly spiritual with a stylish -i ending, Naiari is likely a variation of the Basque name, Naiara. Given to 195 girls in a recent year, it was one of the fastest rising names of 2024, chosen for…
Variation of Jove
"father of the sky"
Joining Lennon and Bowie in the realm of gender-neutral, classic rock-inspired names that feel fashionable today is Jovi — as in Bon Jovi. Jovi is a variation of the Latin Jove — another name for the…
Greek variation of Helen
A common choice in Greece, Eleni is starting to rise in the US too thanks to its bouncy rhythm and cool -i ending. Also familiar in England and Wales, Eleni was chosen for 255 girls in the US in…
Japanese
"sea"
Kairi is the name of the main female character in the popular role-playing video game series, Kingdom Hearts . Voiced by Hayden Panettiere in the main series, Kairi is one of the seven Princesses of…
Hawaiian
This appealing multi-cultural name, pronounced KYE, is beginning to be used for girls as well as boys. Among its many derivations and meanings: "sea" in Hawaiian, "forgiveness" in Japanese, "willow…
Variation of Melanie, Greek
"black, dark"
Lobbing off the final E makes Melanie more modern.
Malay, Modern invention
"to experience, to live; the heavens; from Gilan"
Traditionally a boys' name in Malaysia, a notable bearer being Olympian Jalani Sidek, Jalani's popularity for girls in the US is likely due to its similarity in sound to the likes of Leilani, Kalani,…
Variation of Leilani
The popularity of Leilani outside of its native Hawaii has led to a range of spelling variations, including Leylani, Laylani, and Leilany. Less popular than its aforementioned counterparts, Lailani…
Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese
"ruby; precious gemstone, lapis lazuli + beautiful"
The Spanish and Portuguese form of popular Ruby is another addition to the list of attractive gem names for girls, that might sometimes be used by English speaking parents who want their child's name…
Zulu, modern invention
"peace"
Typically a masculine Zulu name, Xolani is more popular among baby girls in the US. Given to more than 200 girls in 2024, it is a modern creation, blending the stylish -lani ending of Hawaiian names…
Variation of Kamaria and Qamar, Arabic, Swahili
"moonlight"
A unisex name with an appealing and nature inspired meaning, Kamari is currently more popular for boys in the US, though it is climbing the charts for girls too, after in entered the Top 1000 in…
German or Spanish diminutive of Lena, Elena, or Helen, Greek
"shining torch"
An up-and-coming nickname-style name, hugely popular in Germany and on the rise in the UK, Leni is stylish but sweet. Chosen for her daughter by high-profile German supermodel Heidi Klum back in…
Japanese, English short form or Eleanor, Leonora, Nora, Honora, or North, form of Nor or Nuri, Arabic, Turkish
"ceremonial rites, doctrine, seaweed; unknown, honor, north; my light"
Nori is one of those names with several origins that would have no trouble assimilating into a variety of cultures. It might also be associated with the dried seaweed used to wrap sushi or with the…
Spelling variation of Avery
That i adds some extra spunk to mega popular Avery. It also adds some pronunciation confusion (as it could be pronounced AV-er-ee or AV-er-eye). We suggest sticking with the original Avery.
Yaneli is a feminine name with Hispanic origins, primarily used in Spanish-speaking communities. It may be a variant of Yaneli or Yanelis, possibly derived from a combination of names or having roots…
Invented name
Girl names ending in -lani are invented every year — Ehlani is among the latest pseudo-Hawaiian inventions.
