Rising since 1987, #1,467 for girls today.
Popularity of Delani since 1978
Babies named Delani per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 8 |
| 1990s | 196 |
| 2000s | 541 |
| 2010s | 557 |
| 2020s | 761 |
Meaning & origin
Delani first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1978, but it was not until the late 1980s that it began a steady climb. By 2024 it reached its peak rank of 1467, and in 2025 the name was given to roughly 1 in 11,009 newborn girls. While its origins are often linked to the Irish surname Delaney, the spelling Delani feels thoroughly modern, a blend of the fashionable 'Del-' sound with the soft ending of names like Lani. Its popularity is strongest in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Wisconsin, reflecting a pattern of recent coinages found most frequently in the South and Midwest. Though still uncommon enough to feel distinctive, Delani has been rising steadily for decades and shows no signs of slowing.
Delani is a modern variant of the surname Delaney, which is of Irish origin from the Gaelic Ó Dubhshláine meaning 'descendant of Dubhshláine.' The Gaelic elements dubh 'black' and slán 'challenge' or 'defiance' combine to give a sense of 'black defiance.' However, the spelling Delani appears to be a contemporary respelling, likely influenced by names like Lani or Dani, and is chiefly used in the United States since the late 20th century.
Where Delani is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lani, Dela, Dani
Sibling names for Delani
Names that share Delani's style, for a brother or sister.
