Baani
A feminine name of Indian origin meaning "poetic expression" or "speech".
Name Census estimates that about 286 living Americans carry the first name Baani. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Baani today is around 7 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Baani births was 2024 (39 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Baani. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
286
~ 1 in 1,198,442 Americans
Peak year
2024
39 babies that year
Average age
7
years old
2024 SSA rank
#3,819
Tracked since 2006
Popularity
Baani: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Baani from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2020s, with 159 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Baani by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Baani during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Baanis live
The SSA's state-level files cover 3 states and territories. California, New York, Washington recorded the most babies named Baani, while Washington, New York, California recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 33 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Baani
The name Baani has its roots in the Punjabi language, which is spoken primarily in the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana, as well as in the Pakistani province of Punjab. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "bani," which means "speech" or "utterance."
In the Sikh tradition, the term "bani" refers to the sacred writings and teachings of the Sikh Gurus and other revered saints. The Guru Granth Sahib, the central scripture of Sikhism, is often referred to as the "Baani" or the "Word."
The earliest known reference to the name Baani can be found in the writings of the Sikh Gurus, particularly Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, who lived from 1469 to 1539. Guru Nanak Dev frequently used the term "bani" in his teachings and compositions, emphasizing the importance of listening to and following the divine word.
One of the most famous historical figures with the name Baani was Bhai Baani, a renowned Sikh scholar and warrior who lived during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He was a devoted follower of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and final human Guru of Sikhism, and played a crucial role in defending the Sikh faith during the turbulent times of Mughal persecution.
Another notable figure with the name Baani was Baani Singh, a Sikh warrior and military commander who fought alongside Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the powerful ruler of the Sikh Empire in the early 19th century. Baani Singh was known for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.
In more recent times, Baani Rai was a prominent Punjabi writer and poet who lived from 1915 to 1984. Her works, which often explored themes of social justice and women's empowerment, have had a significant impact on Punjabi literature.
Baani Majithia, born in 1975, is a contemporary Punjabi singer and actress who has gained popularity for her contributions to the Punjabi music and film industry. Her distinctive voice and performances have earned her a dedicated fan base.
Throughout history, the name Baani has held a special significance within the Sikh community, representing the profound importance placed on the divine word and the teachings of the Sikh Gurus. It serves as a reminder of the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the Punjabi people.
People
Baani + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Baani as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with B
Other first names starting with B with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Baani: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Baani?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 286 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Baani going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,198,442 US residents.
Is Baani a common name?
We classify Baani as "Very Rare". It ranks above 78.7% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 288 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Baani most popular?
The single biggest year for Baani was 2024, when 39 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Baani is about 7 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Baani a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Baani in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.