Kehlani is a modern American name that became widely known through the R&B singer Kehlani, who released her first mixtape in 2014. It echoes Hawaiian names such as Kalani, "the heavens", and Leilani, and shares their soft, melodic sound. The name's rise follows the singer's career exactly: Kehlani entered the US top 1000 in 2016, jumped to number 168 in 2020 and ranks 149th in 2025, its best position so far.