Declining since 2020, #5,099 for girls today.
Popularity of Nani since 1922
Babies named Nani per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 6 |
| 1950s | 37 |
| 1960s | 54 |
| 1970s | 44 |
| 1980s | 34 |
| 1990s | 30 |
| 2000s | 112 |
| 2010s | 191 |
| 2020s | 180 |
Meaning & origin
Nani is a rare and relatively modern girl's name in the United States, first recorded in 1922. Its popularity has been minimal but saw a small peak in 2021. As of 2025, it ranks 5,099th nationally, with approximately 1 in 64,291 newborns receiving the name. The name's trajectory has been falling since 2020, indicating that its brief surge may be subsiding. Nani likely began as a playful or affectionate variant of more common names like Anna or Nancy, but its exact origins are unclear. It has not been associated with any top states or notable figures, remaining a choice for parents seeking a short, melodic name that stands apart from mainstream trends.
Nani likely emerged as an English diminutive or pet form of names such as Anna, Nancy, or Ann. It may also have arisen independently as a nickname or given name. Its use in the United States was first recorded in 1922, but it has remained rare, with a peak in popularity in 2021.
Sibling names for Nani
Names that share Nani's style, for a brother or sister.
