Jalani is a unique and beautiful name of African origin. It is derived from the Yoruba people of Nigeria and means "calm" or "tranquil". The name Jalani is believed to have been popularized by Wole Soyinka, a Nigerian playwright and Nobel laureate who used it as a character's name in his play "The Lion and the Jewel".
In the Yoruba language, Jalani consists of two parts: "Ja" meaning "calm" or "tranquil", and "LANI" which means "one who has the power to command respect". Thus, the name Jalani signifies a person who is calm yet commands respect.
Historically, the name Jalani has been used among the Yoruba people for centuries. However, it gained international recognition after Wole Soyinka's play was translated into English and performed around the world. Since then, Jalani has become a popular choice among parents looking for unique and meaningful names for their children.
Today, Jalani is still predominantly associated with its African roots but has been embraced by people of various ethnicities worldwide. It remains a name that embodies calmness and respect, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a distinctive yet meaningful name for their child.
The name Jalani has seen a varied level of popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 635 babies being given this name since 1973.
The earliest available data shows that five babies were named Jalani in both 1973 and 1989. The name then began to gain traction in the early 1990s, with nine births recorded in both 1990 and 1991. This trend continued throughout the decade, reaching a peak of 24 births in both 1998 and 1999.
The turn of the century saw a slight dip in popularity for Jalani, with 19 births recorded in 2000. However, it quickly rebounded, with 31 births recorded in 2002. The early 2000s were marked by a degree of fluctuation, with numbers ranging from a low of 14 births in 2006 to a high of 30 births in 2004.
The mid-2000s saw a decline in the popularity of Jalani, but it stabilized around the late 2010s, with 27 births recorded in 2018 and 33 births in 2022. Despite its ups and downs, Jalani has remained a unique and distinctive name choice for parents in the United States over the past five decades.