Makani
Gender-neutral name · Hawaiian
Meaningwind · Hawaiian
- US rank
- #5,861
- Syllables
- 3
- Peak
- #3,995 in 2022
15 babies were named Makani in the US in 2025. It has climbed 435 places in five years.
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US births per million girls, 2003–2025
US births per million boys, 1996–2025
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Makani you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 113,636 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Makani, 15 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Makani would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryMakani first shows up in US birth records in 1996, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 29 years since.
- Best yearIts best year was 2022, when it reached #3,995.
- Then vs nowMakani is 2.1× more common today than it was in 2000. In 2000 it was given to about 1 in 243,902 baby boys; in 2025, about 1 in 113,636.
- TrendMakani has climbed 435 places in the US rankings over the last five years and now sits at #5,861. Fast risers like this often keep climbing, so expect to hear it more.
- Boy or girlMakani is given to both boys and girls: 58% of the 26 babies named Makani in 2025 were boys. That makes it one of the names that truly works for either.
- MeaningIn Hawaiian, Makani means “wind”.
About the name Makani
Makani is a gender-neutral name of Hawaiian origin meaning “wind”. It has 6 letters and 3 syllables, starting with M and ending in “-ani”. US birth records list Makani for boys from 1996 to 2025, in 27 of those 30 years. Its best year was 2022, when it ranked #3,995 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #5,861, with 15 babies. Of the 26 US babies named Makani in 2025, 42% were girls and 58% were boys.
Origin:Hawaiian names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1.8 | 569,106 girls |
| 2010s | 2.0 | 492,611 girls |
| 2020s | 8.9 | 112,150 girls |
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.2 | 833,333 boys |
| 2000s | 6.1 | 163,132 boys |
| 2010s | 6.3 | 158,228 boys |
| 2020s | 12 | 86,331 boys |
More Hawaiian names
- Unisex name: Kai · sea
- Girl name: Alanna · possibly little rock
- Unisex name: Kalani · the heavens
- Unisex name: Nalani · the heavens
- Unisex name: Keanu · the cool breeze
- Boy name: Manolo · God is with us
- Boy name: Paulo · small
- Unisex name: Lani · sky, heaven
Questions about the name Makani
What does the name Makani mean?
Makani means “wind” in Hawaiian.
What is the origin of the name Makani?
Makani has Hawaiian roots in our records. Other Hawaiian names include Kai, Alanna, Kalani.
Is Makani a boy or girl name?
Both. Makani is used for boys and girls: in 2025, 42% of US babies named Makani were girls.
How popular is the name Makani?
Makani ranked #5,861 for US boys in 2025, given to 15 babies. Its best year was 2022 (#3,995).