Keali'i is a Hawaiian name of ancient origin, meaning "the chief" or "the leader." It was traditionally given to high-ranking chiefs and warriors. The name is pronounced /kay-ah-lee-e/ in the Hawaiian language, with the 'okina (') representing a glottal stop. Keali'i is often used as a given name but can also appear as a middle or surname. Some notable figures bearing this name include Keali'i Reichel, a renowned Hawaiian musician and recording artist, and Keali'i Mera, an Olympic gold medalist in swimming.
The name Kealii experienced its peak popularity in recent years, with the highest number of births recorded in 2023 (13). It has shown a general increase since the late 1990s, with fluctuations over time.