Gender Masculine
Pronounced Pron. jə-LAHN-ee  [key·IPA]

Meaning & History

This name began to be used rarely in the United States in 1973 after it was featured in a nation-wide newspaper article about African baby names [1]. It probably represents the Arabic name Jilani, given in honour of the Sufi scholar Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (the meaning quoted by the newspaper article ("mighty") coincides with the meaning of Qadir).

The name reached its peak of popularity in 1998, probably because it had sounds in common with other fashionable African-American names of the time.

Related Names

Other Languages & CulturesJilani(Arabic) Jaylaani(Somali)
User SubmissionJelani

Popularity

People think this name is

modern   youthful   upper class   wholesome   strong   refined   strange  

Categories

Sources & References

Entry updated January 21, 2022