Alani

Possibly “orange” or “orange tree”, through Hawaiian ʻalani.

Alani offers two possible stories behind its sound. One connects it with Hawaiian ʻalani, the word for an orange fruit or tree; the other treats it as a variant of Alana. The botanical meaning belongs to the Hawaiian interpretation, so it is best understood as a possible connection rather than a meaning shared by every bearer. In modern English, Alani is used as a girls’ name. One English reading is uh-LAH-nee, with three syllables and emphasis in the middle. The l and n let the sound move gently between vowels, and the final ee gives it a light finish. Its shape feels contemporary without looking elaborate. If the orange-tree connection appeals to you, it offers a concrete image of fruit and foliage. If sound matters more, Alani’s open rhythm has its own appeal. The spelling Alani keeps the name visually simple; the Hawaiian word is written ʻalani, with an initial ʻokina.

Etymology: Alani is a modern English given name that may come from Hawaiian ʻalani or may be a variant of Alana. Its origin is not settled.