Jehlani
Primarily a girl's name with 250 recorded births. Also given to 105 boys.
Meaning & Origin
Jehlani is a three-syllable girl's name with a open, approachable sound — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. With only 250 recorded U.S. births, it is exceptionally rare — the kind of name most people encounter for the first time when they meet your child.
In the most recent SSA release, Jehlani ranks #5496 among U.S. girl names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Jehlani is a girl's and boy's baby name of Swahili and Arabic origin, a variant of Jilani — associated with the great Sufi saint Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani. As a feminine name, it carries spiritual depth and East African cultural resonance with a melodic four-syllable flow.
EtymologyShow more
Jehlani's linguistic roots are not definitively traced to a single tradition. Names that emerged in late-twentieth-century America were often created by blending sounds, respelling existing names, or combining elements from multiple languages — a form of linguistic creativity that makes pinning down a single origin difficult.
What the data does show: Jehlani has 250 recorded U.S. births as a girl's name, with its open, approachable ending ending on a vowel softens the overall impression.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Jehlani has 9+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2016.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 167 | #4371 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 83 | #6812 | — |
The Story of Jehlani
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2022, Jehlani is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Jehlani are most likely born between 2016 and 2024.
How rare is Jehlani?
Only about 1 in every 156,522 babies born in 2024 was named Jehlani — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2016, peaked in the 2020s with 167 births that decade.
Jehlani by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(9 years, 2016–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 23 | #5496 |
| 2023 | 35 | #4145 |
| 2022 | 44 | #3562 |
| 2021 | 37 | #3966 |
| 2020 | 28 | #4686 |
| 2019 | 28 | #4825 |
| 2018 | 25 | #5233 |
| 2017 | 21 | #5927 |
| 2016 | 9 | #11263 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Jehlani as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Jehlani has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 105 births since 2000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jehlani a boy's or girl's name?
When was Jehlani most popular?
How popular is the name Jehlani?
Can Jehlani be used for both boys and girls?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2016–2024