Bani

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Bani

Pronounced BAH-nee /ˈbɑ.ni/Medium

Meaning: From Punjabi/Sanskrit bani, 'speech, the sacred word; a name of the goddess Saraswati'; also Hebrew Bani, 'built'; here for girls; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Sacred speech: Bani is Punjabi/Sanskrit for 'speech; the sacred word' (a name of Saraswati). Soft, devout, and warm (said 'BAH-nee').

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Origin LowSanskrit, Punjabi

MeaningFrom Punjabi/Sanskrit bani, 'speech, the sacred word; a name of the goddess Saraswati'; also Hebrew Bani, 'built'; here for girls; routes layered

U.S. rank (2024)#5627 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births22 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 270

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Bani comes from Punjabi/Sanskrit bani/vani, 'speech, the sacred word, eloquence' (as in Gurbani, the sacred hymns of Sikhism; a name of Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and speech) — and it is also a Hebrew name, Bani, 'built' (routes layered, which we note). A soft, devout name, used for both sexes, here for girls (slug distinguished; said 'BAH-nee').

In the U.S. it appears in South Asian families. Rare, sacred-speech at the root, and devout.

Did you know? Bani means 'speech, the sacred word' in Punjabi/Sanskrit (Gurbani, the sacred Sikh scripture; a name of Saraswati, goddess of wisdom) — a soft, devout name, used for both sexes (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'BAH-nee').

Overall data confidence 55%

References — Bani — routes layered

Variations

VaniBaaniBanee

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Bani…

Rani— a sound-neighbor South Asian girls' name

Baani— another Punjabi name

Avni— a similarly popular pick

Bodhi— shares Bani's Sanskrit roots

Vaani— another Sanskrit name

Explore names like Bani

By themeuncertain sanskrit unisex punjabi sikh

By meaningGod / Divine

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Bani mean?

Bani is Punjabi/Sanskrit for 'speech; the sacred word' (a name of Saraswati), and Hebrew for 'built'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Bani?

It's said BAH-nee /ˈbɑ.ni/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Bani a boy or girl name?

Bani is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Bani?

Bani is a rare name in the U.S.