Niani

♀ Girl

Pronounced nee-AH-nee /niˈɑ.ni/Medium

Meaning: A modern name, variously linked to Niani (a historic capital of the Mali Empire) and read as a Ni-+-ani coinage (echoing Imani, 'faith'); no single fixed root; routes uncertainLow

In 30 seconds: A modern name; a historic West African place-name: Niani. Lyrical, modern, and warm (said 'nee-AH-nee').

💕 Browse more names

Origin LowAmerican, West African

MeaningA modern name, variously linked to Niani (a historic capital of the Mali Empire) and read as a Ni-+-ani coinage (echoing Imani, 'faith'); no single fixed root; routes uncertain

U.S. rank (2024)#8271 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births13 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 296

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

Niani is a modern name, with no single fixed root — variously linked to Niani (a historic capital of the Mali Empire) and read as a Ni-+-ani coinage (echoing Imani, 'faith'; routes uncertain, which we flag honestly). A lyrical, modern name (said 'nee-AH-nee').

In the U.S. it appears in African-American families. Rare, a-recent-coinage, and lyrical.

Did you know? Niani is a modern name, variously linked to Niani (a historic capital of the Mali Empire) and read as a Ni-+-ani coinage (echoing Imani, 'faith') — a lyrical, modern name (the routes are uncertain, which we note; said 'nee-AH-nee').

Overall data confidence 28%

U.S. Social Security Administration name files — routes uncertain

Variations

NianniNyaniNianie

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Niani…

Imani— a name it echoes

Niyah— a kin Ni- girls' name

Aniyah— a sound-neighbor -ani girls' name

Amani— a fellow -ani girls' name

Explore names like Niani

By themeuncertain english coinage american place-name

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Niani mean?

Niani is variously a historic Mali place-name and a Ni-+-ani coinage; it has no single fixed meaning, so we flag it.

How do you pronounce Niani?

It's said nee-AH-nee /niˈɑ.ni/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Niani a boy or girl name?

Niani is a girl's name.

How popular is Niani?

Niani is a very rare name in the U.S.