Rising since 1991, #374 for girls today.
Popularity of Malani since 1977
Babies named Malani per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 6 |
| 1980s | 13 |
| 1990s | 34 |
| 2000s | 287 |
| 2010s | 1,979 |
| 2020s | 4,793 |
Meaning & origin
Malani emerged in U.S. birth records in 1977, fitting a trend of melodic, two-syllable names ending in 'i'. While not among the top 100, it has shown consistent growth, rising from obscurity to rank 374 in 2025, with a peak in 2024. Its frequency is about 1 in 1,955 births, indicating a distinctive but not unusual choice. The name saw its highest popularity in the 2020s, particularly in Louisiana, Delaware, and Mississippi, where it ranks above the national average. Malani's upward trajectory since 1991 suggests it resonates with parents seeking a modern, feminine name with a soft, exotic sound.
Malani is a modern name that first appeared in U.S. records in the late 1970s. It may be a respelling or variant of names like Malina (of Slavic origin, meaning 'raspberry') or Milani (of Italian origin, meaning 'from Milan'), or it could be a feminine form of the Irish surname Malan. Its exact derivation is unclear, but it fits a pattern of melodic, vowel-ending names popular in recent decades.
Where Malani is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mala, Lani, Mali
Sibling names for Malani
Names that share Malani's style, for a brother or sister.
