Rising since 2001, #5,238 for girls today.
Popularity of Bani since 1991
Babies named Bani per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 50 |
| 2010s | 130 |
| 2020s | 109 |
Meaning & origin
Bani is a short, melodic name that entered U.S. records in 1991, a relatively recent addition to the baby-name landscape. As of 2025, it ranks 5,238 nationally, with a 1-in-66,969 birth rate, reflecting its uncommon but steady use. The name's popularity has been on a rising trajectory since 2001, and it reached its peak rank in 2025, suggesting growing appeal. California was the top state for the name in the most recent data year, which aligns with the state's diverse naming trends. While Bani's etymology is uncertain, its possible connections to Arabic ('my daughters') and Sanskrit ('speech') offer cultural depth, though it is most likely a modern coinage or diminutive. Families drawn to short, vowel-ending names or those seeking a cross-cultural option may find Bani an attractive choice.
The name Bani has multiple potential origins. It may be a modern English coinage, perhaps derived as a diminutive of names like Sabina or as a creative spelling of Bonnie. It could also be an Arabic name, where Bani means 'my sons' or 'my daughters' (a construct form of 'children'). In Sanskrit, bani (वाणी) translates to 'speech' or 'voice'. The name has been in limited use in the United States since the early 1990s, with a slight upward trend in recent years.
Where Bani is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Baniya, Banee, Bannie
Sibling names for Bani
Names that share Bani's style, for a brother or sister.
