Shani
Shani is a girl's name of African origin.
Meaning
Marvel or wonder in Swahili; scarlet red in Hebrew.
Origin and history
Shani is a name with multiple origins, primarily recognized in Swahili as meaning 'marvel' or 'wonder', and in Hebrew as meaning 'scarlet' or 'crimson'. It experienced moderate usage in the United States during the late 20th century and remains a distinctive, multicultural choice today.
Popularity in the United States
4,525 babies in the United States have been named Shani since 1880. It ranks #2601 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2012.
States where it is most popular
- CA (28.2 %)
- NY (26 %)
- FL (7.7 %)
- TX (6.7 %)
- PA (4.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 413 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,429 |
| 1980-1990 | 920 |
| 1990-2000 | 866 |
| 2000-2010 | 592 |
| 2010-2019 | 216 |
| 2020-2029 | 89 |
Famous people named Shani
- Shani Davis: Speed skater, Olympian
Fun facts
- Shani is a rare example of a short name that carries entirely distinct, positive meanings in both East African (Swahili) and Semitic (Hebrew) traditions.
- The name saw its highest popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s.