Kaiulani is a unique and captivating female given name of Hawaiian origin. Its meaning translates to "the heavens" or "heavenly" in English, reflecting the beautiful celestial imagery that is deeply ingrained in Hawaiian culture and mythology.
The name Kaiulani is believed to have been inspired by Princess Ka'iulani (1875-1899), a high-ranking chiefess who was the great-granddaughter of King Kamehameha I. Born into nobility, she was raised to be a future ruler of Hawaii but ultimately died tragically at the young age of 23 during her visit to England.
Princess Ka'iulani is revered in Hawaiian history for her intelligence, grace, and courage as she fiercely advocated for Hawaiian sovereignty against the threat of American annexation. Her story has captivated many hearts over time, with Kaiulani becoming a popular name choice among parents seeking to honor Hawaii's rich cultural heritage.
In recent years, Kaiulani has gained international recognition thanks to its association with various notable figures and popular culture references. Some examples include Ka'iulani Lee, an American actress best known for her role in the television series "Hawaii Five-0," and Kaiulani Robinson, a professional surfer from Hawaii who competes on the World Surf League (WSL) tour.
Despite its growing popularity worldwide, Kaiulani remains deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture and traditions. Parents who choose this name for their daughters often do so to convey strength, grace, and a connection to Hawaiian heritage – values that Princess Ka'iulani embodied throughout her life and continue to inspire future generations.
The name Kaiulani has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 435 births recorded between 1977 and 2023. The earliest year on record for this name was 1977, with 5 babies named Kaiulani born that year.
The popularity of Kaiulani peaked in recent years, with the highest number of births occurring in 2022, at 13 babies named Kaiulani. This marked a significant increase from the previous peak in 2018, when there were 21 births.
Interestingly, the name Kaiulani has not been among the top 1000 most popular names for girls in any year during this period, according to data from the Social Security Administration. Despite this, it has maintained a steady presence with an average of around 15 births per year since the year 2000.
In recent years, there has been a slight uptick in the number of babies named Kaiulani, with 8 births in both 2019 and 2021, followed by the peak in 2022. This suggests that while Kaiulani may not be a mainstream name, it continues to hold appeal for some parents looking for unique options.
Overall, the statistics show that while Kaiulani is not one of the most popular names in the United States, it has maintained a consistent presence over the past several decades.