Jelani
Every Jelani since 1973 — 5,660 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Jelani
Jelani is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,156 in 2025 with 67 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1973, 5,660 American babies have been named Jelani — about 83% boys and 17% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2023, when 218 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Jelani stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Jelani year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 67 | #2,595 | 67 | #2,156 |
| 2024 | 88 | #2,160 | 94 | #1,756 |
| 2023 | 87 | #2,186 | 131 | #1,405 |
| 2022 | 84 | #2,235 | 129 | #1,423 |
| 2021 | 52 | #3,135 | 102 | #1,639 |
| 2020 | 41 | #3,653 | 89 | #1,738 |
| 2019 | 40 | #3,749 | 90 | #1,740 |
| 2018 | 30 | #4,613 | 84 | #1,813 |
| 2017 | 34 | #4,258 | 100 | #1,607 |
| 2016 | 23 | #5,706 | 99 | #1,623 |
| 2015 | 16 | #7,421 | 90 | #1,725 |
| 2014 | 10 | #10,497 | 69 | #2,049 |
| 2013 | 10 | #10,581 | 80 | #1,803 |
| 2012 | 13 | #8,852 | 87 | #1,733 |
| 2011 | 13 | #8,857 | 110 | #1,479 |
| 2010 | 9 | #11,687 | 100 | #1,580 |
| 2009 | 14 | #8,638 | 103 | #1,580 |
| 2008 | 13 | #9,204 | 99 | #1,600 |
| 2007 | 13 | #9,237 | 84 | #1,763 |
| 2006 | 13 | #8,942 | 114 | #1,397 |
| 2005 | 14 | #8,081 | 103 | #1,438 |
| 2004 | 12 | #8,938 | 128 | #1,199 |
| 2003 | 25 | #5,014 | 130 | #1,156 |
| 2002 | 15 | #7,212 | 133 | #1,102 |
| 2001 | 16 | #6,767 | 124 | #1,131 |
| 2000 | 13 | #7,767 | 143 | #1,021 |
| 1995 | 15 | #6,087 | 112 | #1,065 |
| 1990 | 5 | #13,883 | 82 | #1,212 |
| 1985 | — | — | 38 | #1,655 |
| 1980 | 6 | #9,556 | 71 | #1,073 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8,393 | 46 | #1,269 |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Jelani in 2025?
Jelani ranked #2,156 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 67 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Jelani?
5,660 babies have been named Jelani in the United States since 1973, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Jelani most popular?
Jelani peaked in 2023, when 218 newborns received the name.
Is Jelani a boy or girl name?
Jelani is used for both: about 17% of babies named Jelani have been girls and 83% boys.
Is the name Jelani rising or falling?
Jelani is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.