Given name & surname
Chani
“from the oak tree”
Chani is a variant of Chaney. One French interpretation is “from the oak tree.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Chani is a variant of Chaney. One French interpretation is “from the oak tree.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Chani is a variant of Chaney. An origin associated with Chaney is French.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1968. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Chani through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 718
- 0 boys · 718 girls
- Most popular year
- 1986
- 23 babies
- 2025
- 11
- #8,982 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +20%
- Rising
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 11 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 8,982 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 19.7% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 23 in 1986. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 817 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Chani’s family of names
Chani has a related form in Chaney. In Greek usage, Chani as a surname is a transliteration of Χάνι. In Greek usage, Chani as a surname is a transliteration of Χανή.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Similar names
If you love Chani, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Holli
“of the holly tree” · “near the valley of the holly bushes”
>99% girls
Halley
“from the hall near the meadow”
>99% girls
Chalena
“resembling the beautiful and meaningful flower”
>99% girls
Hang
“of the moon”
>99% girls
Alaura
“crowned with laurel; from the laurel tree”
>99% girls
Hollyanne
“of the holly tree”
>99% girls
Afton
“from the Afton river”
16% boys · 84% girls
Marnina
“woman of the sea”
>99% girls