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Dayani

♀ Girl

Pronounced dah-YAH-nee /dɑˈjɑ.ni/High

Meaning: From Sanskrit daya, 'compassion, mercy', elaborated to Dayani — also used as a melodic modern nameMedium

In 30 seconds: Compassion, given a flowing tail: Dayani draws on Sanskrit daya — 'mercy, kindness' — extended into melody. A tender virtue name, soft and warm in any language.

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Origin MediumSanskrit, American

MeaningFrom Sanskrit daya, 'compassion, mercy', elaborated to Dayani — also used as a melodic modern name

U.S. rank (2025)#3846 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births38 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2008

Total births (all-time)≈ 753

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

Dayani elaborates Sanskrit daya, 'compassion, mercy, kindness' — a core virtue across Indian traditions — into a flowing given name. It also reads as a melodic modern coinage, easy on Western tongues.

In the U.S. it appears in Indian and Latino families alike. Rare, compassionate at the root, and gently musical.

Did you know? Daya, the root of Dayani, is one of the great virtues of Indian thought — compassion for every living being — woven into Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh teaching.

Overall data confidence 70%

Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary — daya — root meaning

Variations

DayanaDayanniDaya

Nicknames

DayaYani

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Dayani…

Daya— the 'compassion' root within it

Dayana— a sister Day- favorite

Ishani— lands in the same popularity range

Sayani— a fellow American choice

Liani— shares Dayani's American roots

Explore names like Dayani

By themesanskrit virtue melodic

By meaningGentle / Kind

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Dayani mean?

Dayani draws on Sanskrit daya, 'compassion, mercy', elaborated into a flowing name.

How do you pronounce Dayani?

It's said dah-YAH-nee /dɑˈjɑ.ni/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Dayani a boy or girl name?

Dayani is a girl's name.

How popular is Dayani?

Dayani is a rare name in the U.S.