Given name & surname
Loni
“having the strength of a lion”
Loni is a form of Leona. In Latin use, Leona carries the interpretation “having the strength of a lion.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
In English use, Loni carries the interpretation “having the strength of a lion.” Loni is a form of Leona. In Latin use, Leona carries the interpretation “having the strength of a lion.”
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is English.
How it developed
Loni is used as a form of Leona.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1943. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Loni through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 3,878
- 108 boys · 3,770 girls
- Most popular year
- 1980
- 332 babies
- 2025
- 16
- #7,012 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +7%
- Steady
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 16 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 7,012 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 6.8% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 325 in 1980. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 3,828 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.
Loni’s family of names
Loni has a related form in Lonnie. Loni is a form of Leona. Loni has a related form in Lonny.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 13
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Show 5 moreShow fewer
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 3
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Loni
- Loni AndersonAmerican actress (1945–2025)
- Loni Heuseractress (1908–1999)
- Loni NestGerman actress (1915-1990)
- Loni LoveAmerican comedian, television host, actress, author, and formal electrical engineerborn 1971
- Loni von FriedlAustrian actressborn 1943
- Loni PeristereAmerican television director and television producerborn 1971
- Loni AckermanMusical theatre performerborn 1949
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Loni, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Mandy
“one who is much loved”
>99% girls
Randi
“the wolf shield” · “lustful”
1% boys · 99% girls
Lindsay
Lindsay is used as a given name, a surname, and a nickname. One English interpretation is “from the island of linden trees; from Lincoln's wetland.”
1% boys · 99% girls
Brandy
“a woman wielding a sword; an alcoholic drink”
13% boys · 87% girls
Mindy
“one who is sweet and gentle” · “one who is worthy of admiration”
>99% girls
Misty
“covered with dew; of the mists”
>99% girls
Marni
“woman of the sea”
>99% girls
Afton
“from the Afton river”
16% boys · 84% girls