UK girl's name
Kelani
An ancient Sinhalese name meaning "river princess" or "princess of the river".
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.
Kelani is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Kelani popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2017, with 4 births.
This profile covers 10 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2017 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 10 living people in the UK are called Kelani. 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
- • Kelani ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2017, when 4 girls were registered as Kelani.
- • About 10 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kelani as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5891
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
2017
4 births
Estimated living
10
2026
Meaning
What does Kelani mean?
The name Kelani is believed to have its origins in the Sinhalese language, which is spoken primarily in Sri Lanka. It is a relatively modern name that gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly among the Sinhala community.
The name Kelani is derived from the name of the Kelani River, a major river that flows through the Western Province of Sri Lanka. The river is considered sacred in Sinhala Buddhist culture and has played a significant role in the history and mythology of the region.
While the name Kelani does not have a long recorded history, it has been associated with several notable individuals in recent times. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name is Kelani Palipana, a Sinhalese author and poet who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Another notable figure with the name Kelani is Kelani Vijitha, a Sri Lankan film director and screenwriter who has made significant contributions to Sinhala cinema. He directed several critically acclaimed films, including "Viragaya" (1987) and "Bambaru Avith" (1977).
In the field of music, Kelani Jayasiri is a prominent name. He is a Sri Lankan composer and musician who has composed numerous popular songs and film scores. His compositions have played a significant role in shaping the modern Sinhala music scene.
Kelani Gnanamuttu was a Sri Lankan politician and member of parliament who served as the Minister of Industrial Development in the late 20th century. He played an influential role in shaping the country's industrial policies during his time in office.
Finally, Kelani Abeywickrama is a contemporary Sri Lankan artist known for her vibrant and colorful paintings. Her works often depict scenes from Sri Lankan culture and daily life, capturing the essence of the island nation's rich traditions and heritage.
While the name Kelani is relatively modern and does not have a long recorded history, it has gained popularity and recognition in recent times, particularly among the Sinhalese community in Sri Lanka. The name's association with the sacred Kelani River and its adoption by notable figures in various fields has contributed to its significance and cultural relevance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kelani over time
The chart below shows babies named Kelani registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2017 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 Kelani, the clearest high point is 2017. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kelani by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kelani 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 | #5789 | 6 | 2 |
| 2010s | #4763 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Kelani
- Katie 53,185
- Keira 14,411
- Katherine 11,323
- Kayleigh 10,677
- Kate 10,276
- Kelsey 7,224
- Kiera 7,218
- Kayla 6,541
- Kirsty 6,384
- Khadija 5,948
- Kimberley 5,189
- Kaitlyn 5,137
FAQ
Kelani: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kelani in the UK right now?
In 2024, Kelani was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Kelani most popular?
The peak year on record was 2017, with 4 babies registered as Kelani in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kelani?
An ancient Sinhalese name meaning "river princess" or "princess of the river".
How many people are called Kelani in the UK?
A total of 10 babies have been registered as Kelani 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.