Shani: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#12,980

among girls · ↓6,372 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Shani

How common

1 in 229,610

girls born in 2025

Peak year

1969

223 babies

All-time total

4,542

#2,743 all-time among girls

First recorded

1962

in Social Security records

Shani popularity over time

4,542 babies have been named Shani since 1962, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

GirlsBoys

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1960s	413	–	413	41	–	#665
1970s	1,429	6	1,435	144	+247%	#797
1980s	920	6	926	93	-35%	#1,265
1990s	866	–	866	87	-6%	#1,229
2000s	592	5	597	60	-31%	#2,325
2010s	216	–	216	22	-64%	#3,740
2020s (to 2025)	89	–	89	15	-31%	#5,926

The story of Shani

Shani is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #12,980 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1962, 4,542 American babies have been named Shani. Its peak came in 1969, when 223 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1960s.

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 Shani stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Shani?

The median living Shani is about 40 years old; half are between 29 and 50. An estimated 4,400 people named Shani are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Shani 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	7	#12,980	–	–
2024	18	#6,608	–	–
2023	21	#5,926	–	–
2022	17	#6,948	–	–
2021	9	#11,028	–	–
2020	17	#6,883	–	–
2019	19	#6,380	–	–
2018	8	#12,322	–	–
2017	12	#9,267	–	–
2016	16	#7,553	–	–
2015	28	#4,967	–	–
2014	18	#6,945	–	–
2013	21	#6,220	–	–
2012	30	#4,818	–	–
2011	22	#6,115	–	–
2010	42	#3,740	–	–
2009	41	#3,859	–	–
2008	53	#3,212	–	–
2007	50	#3,370	–	–
2006	56	#3,049	–	–
2005	68	#2,550	–	–
2004	55	#2,922	–	–
2003	72	#2,342	–	–
2002	69	#2,348	–	–
2001	69	#2,325	–	–
2000	59	#2,567	5	#11,845
1995	79	#1,815	–	–
1990	101	#1,530	–	–
1985	104	#1,296	–	–
1980	103	#1,265	–	–
1975	148	#895	6	#5,350
1970	176	#797	–	–
1965	49	#1,616	–	–
1960	–	–	–	–
1955	–	–	–	–
1950	–	–	–	–
1945	–	–	–	–
1940	–	–	–	–
1935	–	–	–	–
1930	–	–	–	–
1925	–	–	–	–
1920	–	–	–	–
1915	–	–	–	–
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Famous people named Shani

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Shani Davis American speed skater b. 1982 · Contemporary
2 Shani Tarashaj Swiss footballer (born 1995) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Shani, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Shani?

The median living Shani is about 40 years old. Half of all living Shanis are between 29 and 50 years old.

How many people named Shani are alive today?

An estimated 4,400 people named Shani are alive in the United States, based on 4,542 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Shani in 2025?

Shani ranked #12,980 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Shani?

4,542 babies have been named Shani in the United States since 1962, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Shani most popular?

Shani peaked in 1969, when 223 newborns received the name.

Is Shani a boy or girl name?

Shani is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Shani rising or falling?

Shani is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Shani?

Well-known people named Shani include Shani Davis (skater), Shani Tarashaj (soccer player).

Names like Shani

Names that sound and feel close to Shani: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Shani with similar names → More names starting with S →