Jelani Unisex
Origin(s)
Swahili
Meaning
Mighty; powerful
Historical & Cultural Background
Jelani is a name of Swahili origin, commonly used in East Africa. It reflects strength and power, qualities that are often valued in various cultures. The name is part of a broader trend of using African names that convey positive attributes. It has gained popularity in various communities, particularly among those seeking to celebrate African heritage.
Trend Summary
Jelani has seen a steady rise in popularity in the United States, particularly among parents looking for unique names with cultural significance.
Similar Names
Jalen, Jelina, Jaden, Jamal, Jafari, Jelisa, Jemal, Jovany
Variants
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International Variants
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Famous people named Jelani
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Fictional characters named Jelani
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Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Jelani was first seen in the United States in 1973. Jelani has ranked as high as #1114 nationally, which occurred in 1998, and has been most popular in Georgia, Texas, Ohio, Illinois, and New York. In the past 5 years the name Jelani has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
All data featured information on this baby name page is provided from official Social Security Administration databases. Names, Gender, and Birthdates are updated annually by the SSA for both national and state birth totals. Our records on the national level data back to 1880. If a chart starts after 1880 it's because that baby name first appeared in official SSA records at that time. If you're name shows a data after your birthdate as a start pointing, feel free to contact us using our contact section and we'll happily update with your birth year.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Jelani (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| GA | 16 | |
| TX | 7 | |
| OH | 6 | |
| IL | 6 | |
| NY | 6 | |
| VA | 5 | |
| NC | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1973 | 36 |
| 1974 | 53 |
| 1975 | 46 |
| 1976 | 55 |
| 1977 | 70 |
| 1978 | 61 |
| 1979 | 66 |
| 1980 | 71 |
| 1981 | 54 |
| 1982 | 61 |
| 1983 | 38 |
| 1984 | 58 |
| 1985 | 38 |
| 1986 | 38 |
| 1987 | 62 |
| 1988 | 64 |
| 1989 | 64 |
| 1990 | 82 |
| 1991 | 110 |
| 1992 | 96 |
| 1993 | 98 |
| 1994 | 102 |
| 1995 | 112 |
| 1996 | 113 |
| 1997 | 121 |
| 1998 | 151 |
| 1999 | 116 |
| 2000 | 143 |
| 2001 | 124 |
| 2002 | 133 |
| 2003 | 130 |
| 2004 | 128 |
| 2005 | 103 |
| 2006 | 114 |
| 2007 | 84 |
| 2008 | 99 |
| 2009 | 103 |
| 2010 | 100 |
| 2011 | 110 |
| 2012 | 87 |
| 2013 | 80 |
| 2014 | 69 |
| 2015 | 90 |
| 2016 | 99 |
| 2017 | 100 |
| 2018 | 84 |
| 2019 | 90 |
| 2020 | 89 |
| 2021 | 102 |
| 2022 | 129 |
| 2023 | 131 |
| 2024 | 94 |