UK boy's name
Kayani
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "my gift" or "valuable".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Kayani is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kayani popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3112, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2023, with 6 births.
This profile covers 15 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2017 to 2023. 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.
Kayani is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 15 living people in the UK are called Kayani. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Kayani ranked #3112 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 6 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2023, when 6 boys were registered as Kayani.
- • About 15 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kayani as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3112
2023
Births in 2023
6
Latest year
Peak year
2023
6 births
Estimated living
15
2026
Meaning
What does Kayani mean?
The name Kayani is believed to have its origins in the Persian language, with its roots traced back to the ancient Indo-Iranian civilization that flourished in the region now known as South Asia and the Middle East. The name is thought to be derived from the Persian word "kayan," which means "noble" or "aristocratic."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kayani can be found in the epic poem Shahnameh, written by the renowned Persian poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th century. In this literary masterpiece, Kayani is mentioned as a title bestowed upon noble warriors and rulers, reflecting the name's association with nobility and valor.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kayani. One such figure was Kayani Khan, a Pashtun warrior and leader who played a pivotal role in the Afghan resistance against the Mughal Empire in the 17th century. His unwavering bravery and leadership skills earned him a place in the annals of Afghan history.
Another prominent figure bearing the name Kayani was Akbar Khan Kayani, a Pakistani four-star general who served as the Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army from 2007 to 2013. His tenure was marked by significant efforts to combat terrorism and strengthen Pakistan's defense capabilities.
In the realm of literature, the name Kayani is associated with Kayani Baksh, a renowned Sindhi poet and writer who lived in the 19th century. His poetic works, which explored themes of love, spirituality, and social commentary, are celebrated as significant contributions to the Sindhi literary heritage.
The name Kayani also holds historical significance in the Indian subcontinent. Kayani Begum was a prominent Mughal princess and the daughter of Emperor Akbar. Known for her intelligence and political acumen, she played a influential role in the affairs of the Mughal court during the reign of her brother, Jahangir.
These are just a few examples of the numerous individuals throughout history who have borne the name Kayani, each leaving their mark on various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural heritage across different regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kayani over time
The chart below shows babies named Kayani registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2017 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Kayani, the clearest high point is 2023. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2023, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kayani by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kayani 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 | #3557 | 10 | 2 |
| 2010s | #3449 | 5 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Kayani
- Kieran 30,429
- Kyle 28,463
- Kai 24,432
- Kian 17,666
- Kayden 8,305
- Kevin 7,927
- Kane 7,149
- Kaiden 5,762
- Kieron 4,547
- Kacper 4,366
- Kye 4,012
- Kit 3,529
FAQ
Kayani: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kayani in the UK right now?
In 2023, Kayani was ranked #3112 for boys in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.
When was Kayani most popular?
The peak year on record was 2023, with 6 babies registered as Kayani in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kayani?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "my gift" or "valuable".
How many people are called Kayani in the UK?
A total of 15 babies have been registered as Kayani across the 3 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.