Jelani

Meaning: Uncertain
Origin: Uncertain — In American use since 1973, usually described as Swahili, possibly from the Arabic name Jilani

Boy's name · #2156 in the US (2025) · 2020s wave

58% boys · 42% girls — Jelani is also given to girls: 67 in 2025, about 42% in recent years. Jelani →

Popularity over time

Jelani reached its best rank, #935, in 1998 and ranked #2156 in 2025. Roughly 4,700 boys have been named Jelani since 1973.

Across the states

See where Jelani is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 10 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Jelani ranks in other countries and regions.

#474 in France (2025) · #623 in Belgium (2025) · #2,144 in Sweden (2025) · #2,259 in Switzerland (2025) · #2,789 in Canada (2025) · #4,275 in England & Wales (2025) · #2,837 in Ecuador (2021) · #988 in Netherlands (2014).

Famous Jelanis

Jelani Nelson — American computer scientist (born 1984)
Jelani Alladin — American actor, singer, and dancer (born 1992)
Jelani Cobb — American writer, author and educator (born 1969)
Jelani Woods — American football player (born 1998)
Jelani Reshaun Sumiyoshi — Japanese footballer (born 1997)

What Jelanis become

Among 39 notable people named Jelani:

Sports figures appear 3.55× more often than among typical names — e.g. Jelani Reshaun Sumiyoshi, Japanese footballer (born 1997).

Similar names: Keoni · Jedidiah · Amani · Kentrell · Damani · Zephaniah

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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