NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Nilani

A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "blue lotus".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1997. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Nilani is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nilani popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1997 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3824, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 3 births.

This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 1997 to 1997. 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.

Nilani is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Nilani. 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 1998 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Nilani ranked #3824 for girls in England and Wales in 1997, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1997, when 3 girls were registered as Nilani.
  • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nilani as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3824

1997

Births in 1997

3

Latest year

Peak year

1997

3 births

Estimated living

3

2026

Meaning

What does Nilani mean?

The name Nilani is believed to have its origins in the Sanskrit language of ancient India. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "nila," which means "blue" or "dark blue." The suffix "ni" is often used in Sanskrit names to denote a feminine form.

The earliest recorded use of the name Nilani can be traced back to ancient Hindu texts and scriptures from around the 5th century BCE. In these texts, the name is often associated with the color blue and its symbolic meanings of peace, tranquility, and spirituality.

In the epic Hindu poem "Mahabharata," there is a character named Nilani who is described as a beautiful and virtuous woman. She is portrayed as a devoted wife and a symbol of loyalty and devotion.

During the medieval period in India, the name Nilani gained popularity among the upper classes and royal families. One notable figure with this name was Nilani Devi, a powerful queen who ruled over the Rajput kingdom of Mewar in the 15th century. She was known for her courage and leadership during a time of political turmoil.

Another historical figure with the name Nilani was a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet who lived in the 9th century CE. Her works on grammar and poetry were widely studied and celebrated during her lifetime.

In more recent history, there was a Indian freedom fighter named Nilani Ghosh who played an active role in the Indian independence movement against British rule in the early 20th century. She was imprisoned multiple times for her involvement in protests and civil disobedience campaigns.

Outside of India, the name Nilani has also been used in various other cultures and regions, though its origins can be traced back to the Sanskrit language. For example, there was a famous Indonesian dancer and choreographer named Nilani Ratna who was celebrated for her performances and contributions to the arts in the mid-20th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Decades

Nilani by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nilani 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
1990s #3824 3 1

Related

Names similar to Nilani

FAQ

Nilani: questions and answers

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

In 1997, Nilani was ranked #3824 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Nilani most popular?

The peak year on record was 1997, with 3 babies registered as Nilani in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Nilani?

A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "blue lotus".

How many people are called Nilani in the UK?

A total of 3 babies have been registered as Nilani across the 1 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.