Find out how popular the first name Dylani has been for the last 7 years (from 2017 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Dylani by gender

Based on the last 7 years of data, Dylani is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 9 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Dylani.

The history of the first name Dylani

The given name Dylani is a relatively modern name with roots in the Welsh language. It is believed to have originated as a variant or diminutive form of the name Dylan, which itself is derived from the Welsh elements "dy" meaning "great" and "llan" meaning "enclosure" or "parish".

The name Dylan has been in use since the Middle Ages, with one of the earliest recorded bearers being a 6th-century Welsh prince known as Dylan Eil Ton or Dylan the Wave. In Welsh mythology, Dylan was also the name of a legendary sea god or sea-faring hero. The name gained wider popularity in the 20th century, partly due to its association with the famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas (1914-1953).

The variant form Dylani is thought to have emerged in the late 20th century, possibly as an attempt to create a more feminine or gender-neutral version of the name Dylan. While its exact origins are uncertain, it may have been influenced by the trend of adding an "i" or "ee" sound to the end of traditionally masculine names, as seen with names like Jacqueline, Micheline, and Danielle.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Dylani can be found in the 1983 novel "Dylani" by Phillip Whitehead, where it is the name of the protagonist. Another early bearer of the name was Dylani Trent, an American actress and model born in 1985.

Throughout history, a few notable individuals have borne the name Dylani, though it remains relatively uncommon. These include:

1. Dylani Trent (born 1985), American actress and model.
2. Dylani Rae Harper (born 1990), American singer-songwriter.
3. Dylani Squires (born 1994), Australian rules footballer.
4. Dylani Robinson (born 1997), American basketball player.
5. Dylani Oliveras (born 1999), Puerto Rican-American actress and singer.

While the name Dylani has gained some traction in recent decades, particularly in the United States and Australia, it remains a relatively rare and unique name choice with a distinct Welsh heritage and connection to the more established name Dylan.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Dylani was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Dylani, please contact us.

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