At a glance
- U.S. rank 2025
- #12,008 of boy names (outside the top 1,000)
- Babies in 2025
- 5 (<0.01% of boys)
- Trend
- Slipping #8,067 in 2020 to #12,008 in 2025
- Peak
- #5,741 in 2010
- First recorded
- 2002
Meaning of Khani
Khani arrives at the intersection of timeless tradition and fresh creativity. As a unisex name, its soft syllables and gentle “-i” ending lend it an affectionate flair that feels just as comfortable commanding a boardroom as soothing a stuffed animal at playtime. Its roots trace back to the Persian honorific khan, meaning “leader” or “ruler,” giving this spirited choice a dash of heritage and quiet strength. Pronounced KAH-nee (/kɑˈni/), Khani embodies authority wrapped in warmth—like a breeze whispering through ancient palace halls. Though it remains a rare pick in the US, with just six to fifteen babies each year and a steady ranking in the lower 900s, its subtle rise hints at a growing fondness for names that blend global depth with personal charm. For parents drawn to something both distinctive and heartfelt, Khani offers an inspiring nod to the past while inviting every child to chart their own remarkable course.
How to pronounce Khani
- Pronounced KAH-nee /kɑˈni/
Popularity of Khani in the U.S.
Khani was the #12,008 boy name in the U.S. in 2025, with 5 babies. It peaked at #5,741 in 2010. It first appears in the records in 2002.
- Rank among U.S. boy names (right scale, #1 at the top)
Year-by-year table, 2002–2025 20 rows
| Year | Babies | Rank | vs previous year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 12,008 | ▼ 1,070 |
| 2024 | 6 | 10,938 | back (not recorded in 2023) |
| 2022 | 6 | 10,863 | back (not recorded in 2021) |
| 2020 | 9 | 8,067 | ▼ 424 |
| 2019 | 10 | 7,643 | ▲ 3,117 |
| 2018 | 6 | 10,760 | ▼ 1,064 |
| 2017 | 7 | 9,696 | ▼ 2,539 |
| 2016 | 11 | 7,157 | back (not recorded in 2015) |
| 2014 | 10 | 7,562 | ▼ 1,639 |
| 2013 | 14 | 5,923 | ▲ 2,235 |
| 2012 | 9 | 8,158 | ▼ 79 |
| 2011 | 9 | 8,079 | ▼ 2,338 |
| 2010 | 15 | 5,741 | ▲ 2,569 |
| 2009 | 9 | 8,310 | ▲ 4,243 |
| 2008 | 5 | 12,553 | ▼ 4,380 |
| 2007 | 9 | 8,173 | ▼ 746 |
| 2006 | 10 | 7,427 | ▼ 793 |
| 2005 | 11 | 6,634 | ▲ 2,293 |
| 2004 | 7 | 8,927 | back (not recorded in 2003) |
| 2002 | 6 | 9,392 | new |