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Home › Baby Names Directory › Sekhani

Sekhani

♂ Boy

Pronounced seh-KAH-nee /sɛˈkɑ.ni/Medium

Meaning: From the Chewa/Tumbuka (Malawi) — variously 'laugh; laughter; be joyful'; sources vary, so routes uncertainLow

In 30 seconds: To laugh; laughter; joy: Sekhani is Chewa. Lyrical, modern, and warm (said 'seh-KAH-nee').
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Origin LowChewa, Malawian
MeaningFrom the Chewa/Tumbuka (Malawi) — variously 'laugh; laughter; be joyful'; sources vary, so routes uncertain
U.S. rank (2024)#9695 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 56

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202120192024

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

Sekhani comes from the Chewa/Tumbuka (Malawi) — variously 'laugh; laughter; be joyful' (sources vary, so routes uncertain, which we note). A lyrical, modern name (said 'seh-KAH-nee').

In the U.S. it appears in Malawian and Southern African families. Rare, laughter-and-joy at the root, and lyrical.

Did you know? Sekhani is a Chewa/Tumbuka (Malawi) name, variously 'laugh; laughter; be joyful' — a lyrical, warm name (the routes are uncertain, which we note; said 'seh-KAH-nee').
Overall data confidence 30%
References — Sekhani — Chewa/Tumbuka; routes uncertain

Variations

SekaniSekhany

Nicknames

Sekh

Famous Bearers

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If you like Sekhani…

Sekani— a kin spelling
Sakani— lands in the same popularity range
Kaimani— shares the -ni ending
Kamani— echoes that soft -ni sound
Jahani— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Sekhani

By themeuncertain
By meaningJoy

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Sekhani mean?

Sekhani is a Chewa/Tumbuka (Malawi) name, variously 'laugh; laughter; be joyful'; sources vary, so we note it.

How do you pronounce Sekhani?

It's said seh-KAH-nee /sɛˈkɑ.ni/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Sekhani a boy or girl name?

Sekhani is a boy's name here (it is also used for girls).

How popular is Sekhani?

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

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