Given name · also Indian
Denali
“a superior woman”·“from the national park”
Denali is used as a given name. Interpretations include “a superior woman” (Indian) and “from the national park” (American). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “a superior woman” (Indian) and “from the national park” (American). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
This spelling has been associated with Indian and American naming traditions.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1977. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Denali through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 2,479
- 684 boys · 1,795 girls
- Most popular year
- 2022
- 135 babies
- 2025
- 109
- #2,338 for girls · #3,596 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +33%
- Rising
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 27% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 78 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 2,338 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 23.3% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. It also appeared in 31 birth records for boys in 2025. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (10). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 1,660 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.
Denali’s family of names
Denali has a related form in Denalea. Denali has a related form in Denalee. Denali has a related form in Denaleigh.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 12
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
- Denalyvariant
- Denaleighvariant
- Denaleavariant
- Denaleevariant
- Denaleyvariant
- Denalievariant
- Denalleavariant
- Denalleyvariant
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Similar names
If you love Denali, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Halston
“a stylish woman”
42% boys · 58% girls
Nature
“an outdoorsy man”
28% boys · 72% girls
Scout
“an explorer”
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Laken
“man from the lake”
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Crimson
“as rich and deep as the color”
40% boys · 60% girls
Briar
“resembling a thorny plant”
38% boys · 62% girls
Avari
“from the heavens”
32% boys · 68% girls
Tatum
“bringer of joy; spirited”
47% boys · 53% girls