Rising since 2016, #1,186 for boys today.
Popularity of Sekani since 2001
Babies named Sekani per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0 | 10 |
| 2010s | 67 | 264 |
| 2020s | 219 | 1,059 |
Meaning & origin
Sekani is a name of Swahili origin meaning 'laughter', introduced to American naming practices in 2001 and steadily gaining attention since. It has risen in popularity consistently since 2016, reaching its peak rank of 1186 in 2025 with approximately 1 in 9,873 newborn boys receiving the name. The name's appeal is especially notable in southern states, with Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama reporting the highest usage. Sekani's cheerful meaning and melodic sound contribute to its growing favor among parents seeking a distinctive yet accessible name with African roots.
Sekani originates from the Swahili language of East Africa, where it means 'laughter' or 'one who laughs'. It is also the name of a Bantu ethnic group in Tanzania, the Sekani people. The name has been used in the United States since the early 2000s, often chosen for its positive meaning and distinctive sound.
Where Sekani is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Sekani” around the world
Where Sekani lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Seki, Kani, Sek
Sibling names for Sekani
Names that share Sekani's style, for a brother or sister.
