Rising since 1988, #844 for girls today.
Popularity of Elani since 1986
Babies named Elani per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 121 |
| 2000s | 320 |
| 2010s | 695 |
| 2020s | 1,344 |
Meaning & origin
Elani is a modern and melodic name that has been steadily gaining traction since it first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1986. In 2025, it reached its highest rank of 844, with approximately 1 in 4,992 girls given the name. Its trajectory has been consistently rising since 1988, placing it in the 2020s as an emerging choice. The name is most popular in Mississippi, Illinois, and Texas, reflecting a broad appeal across diverse regions. While its exact origins are unclear, Elani fits a contemporary pattern of names ending in 'ani' or 'ani', drawing stylistic inspiration from names like Eliana and Alani. This flexibility in meaning adds to its modern, creative charm.
Elani is a modern coinage, likely formed by blending fashionable elements from names like Eliana (Hebrew, 'God has answered') and Alani (Hawaiian, 'light'). It first appeared in U.S. records in 1986 and has been rising in use since the late 1980s, reflecting a contemporary preference for melodic, vowel-heavy names.
Where Elani is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lani, Ela, Lana
Sibling names for Elani
Names that share Elani's style, for a brother or sister.
