Kaylani

Sea and sky, through the Hawaiian name Kailani.

Kaylani is a feminine name used in modern English, with Hawaiian roots through Kailani. Its meaning brings together the sea and the sky: an expansive image that gives the name a natural, airy quality. The spelling with y belongs to its English form. The opening sound needs a little care. Kaylani can be said with “Kay”, rhyming with day, or “Kai”, rhyming with eye; both lead into a stressed “LAH” and a light “nee”. If you are choosing between Kaylani and Kailani, decide on the sound as well as the spelling. For someone already bearing the name, their own pronunciation takes precedence. The clear K gives Kaylani a firm beginning, while the l and n soften the rest. To my ear, that balance makes it flowing without feeling overly elaborate. Its sea-and-sky connection may especially appeal if you like nature imagery tucked inside a name rather than an everyday nature word.

Etymology: An English spelling variant of Kailani, formed from Hawaiian kai, “sea”, and lani, “sky, heaven”.