NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Hani

A feminine Arabic name meaning "happier" or "delighting in joy".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 168 girls.

Hani is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Hani popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2921, with 7 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 15 births.

This profile covers 186 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 47% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 185 living people in the UK are called Hani. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Hani ranked #2921 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 7 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2005, when 15 boys were registered as Hani.
  • Hani is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 185 living people in the UK are estimated to have Hani as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 52.5% of Hani registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2921

2024

Births in 2024

7

Latest year

Peak year

2005

15 births

Estimated living

185

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Hani

In England and Wales birth records, Hani has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 52.5% of registrations are for boys and 47.5% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

53% boys
47% girls
Boys186 (52.5%)Girls168 (47.5%)

Hani registered for boys

  • Ranked #2,921 in 2024
  • 7 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2005 (15 births)

Hani registered for girls

  • Ranked #2,253 in 2024
  • 12 girls registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2024 (12 births)

Meaning

What does Hani mean?

The name Hani has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, tracing back to the 7th century AD. It is derived from the Arabic root word "hana," which means "joy" or "happiness." This name has been used by various ethnic groups across the Middle East and North Africa, reflecting its deep-rooted cultural significance.

One of the earliest historical references to the name Hani can be found in the works of renowned Arab poets and scholars from the Umayyad and Abbasid eras. The name appears in several classical Arabic texts, including anthologies of poetry and biographical accounts of influential figures from that time period.

The first recorded example of the name Hani dates back to the 8th century AD, when Hani ibn Urwah (708-781 AD), a prominent Islamic scholar and historian from Medina, lived. He was renowned for his extensive knowledge of genealogy, Islamic traditions, and Arabic literature.

Throughout history, numerous individuals have borne the name Hani, leaving their mark in various fields. One notable figure was Hani al-Nukhayli (1944-1976), a Palestinian poet and activist who played a significant role in the Palestinian resistance movement against Israeli occupation. His poems, which expressed the struggles and aspirations of his people, gained widespread recognition and continue to inspire generations.

Another famous bearer of the name was Hani Shukrallah (1950-2003), an Egyptian journalist and political commentator known for his insightful analysis and critical perspectives on Middle Eastern affairs. His writings and television appearances made him a respected voice in the region and beyond.

In the realm of sports, Hani Mukhtar (born 1944) is a renowned Egyptian former footballer who represented his country in two World Cup tournaments (1966 and 1970). His exceptional skills as a striker earned him recognition as one of the greatest players in Egyptian football history.

Hani Salama (1942-2022) was a prominent Egyptian actor and comedian who entertained audiences for over six decades. His versatile performances in numerous films and television shows cemented his status as a cultural icon in the Arab world.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Hani throughout history, each leaving an indelible mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural heritage associated with this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Hani over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Hani in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Hani, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2024, compared with 15 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
06121723199620102024

Decades

Hani by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Hani was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #3178 31 5
2010s #3240 58 10
2000s #2223 78 10
1990s #2200 19 4

Related

Names similar to Hani

FAQ

Hani: questions and answers

How popular is the name Hani in the UK right now?

In 2024, Hani was ranked #2921 for boys in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.

When was Hani most popular?

The peak year on record was 2005, with 15 babies registered as Hani in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Hani?

A feminine Arabic name meaning "happier" or "delighting in joy".

How many people are called Hani in the UK?

A total of 186 babies have been registered as Hani across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.