Meaning & origin
A reliable meaning for Malani isn’t established in our sources yet. Rather than guess, we show what is recorded: how the name is used, how often, and the names it’s connected to.
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
Malani through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 7,117
- 5 boys · 7,112 girls
- Most popular year
- 2024
- 943 babies
- 2025
- 822
- #374 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +117%
- Rising fast
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 822 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 374 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 117.0% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (98). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 1,897 as a first name in 2020; 375 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Malani’s family of names
In Greek usage, Malani as a surname is a transliteration of Μαλάνη.
The ring: spellings.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Similar names
If you love Malani, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Milani
Milani is a feminine given name.
>99% girls
Aylani
>99% girls
Ailani
“woman who holds rank as high chief”
>99% girls
Marlani
>99% girls
Jaylani
2% boys · 98% girls
Madisson
“daughter'of a mighty warrior” · “son of a mighty warrior”
>99% girls
Ailany
“woman who holds rank as high chief”
>99% girls
Kehlani
>99% girls