UK name, mostly boys
Sani
A masculine Arabic name meaning "bright" or "radiant".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2010. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 3 girls.
Sani is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Sani popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2010 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4678, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1999 to 2010. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Sani. 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 2011 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sani ranked #4678 for boys in England and Wales in 2010, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 3 boys were registered as Sani.
- • Sani is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sani as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 66.7% of Sani registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4678
2010
Births in 2010
3
Latest year
Peak year
1999
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Sani
In England and Wales birth records, Sani has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 66.7% of registrations are for boys and 33.3% 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.
Sani registered for boys
- Ranked #4,678 in 2010
- 3 boys registered in 2010
- Peak: 1999 (3 births)
Sani registered for girls
- Ranked #5,591 in 2019
- 3 girls registered in 2019
- Peak: 2019 (3 births)
Meaning
What does Sani mean?
The name Sani has its origins in the Sanskrit language of ancient India, where it is believed to have emerged around the 2nd century BCE. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "shani," which refers to the planet Saturn in Hindu astrology and mythology. In Sanskrit texts, Sani is personified as the deity Shani, the lord of obstacles and hardships.
Sani is a widely used name across various regions of the Indian subcontinent, particularly among Hindus and Buddhists. It is often given to children born under the astrological influence of the planet Saturn or on the day associated with Saturn, known as Shanivar (Saturday).
The name Sani can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, such as the Puranas and the Vedas, where it is mentioned in the context of astrology and planetary deities. One notable reference is in the Brihat Samhita, an ancient Sanskrit text on astrology and architecture, written by the sage Varahamihira in the 6th century CE.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have borne the name Sani. One of the earliest recorded examples is Sani Bhaskar, a renowned Indian mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 7th century CE and made significant contributions to the field of trigonometry.
Another notable figure is Sani Maharaj (1928-2017), a revered Hindu spiritual leader and founder of the Sani Ashram in Shirdi, India. He was widely respected for his teachings on spirituality and devotion to the deity Shani.
In the realm of literature, Sani Gurumurti (1878-1948) was a celebrated Kannada poet and writer from the Indian state of Karnataka. His works, including the epic poem "Rayara Vamshavali," are considered classics of Kannada literature.
Sani Shylendranath (1914-1996) was a renowned Indian historian and author, best known for his acclaimed biography of the Mughal emperor Akbar, titled "The Reign of Akbar."
Lastly, Sani Pering (1935-2002) was a prominent Malaysian artist and sculptor, renowned for his intricate wood carvings depicting traditional Malay culture and mythology.
These examples illustrate the rich history and cultural significance of the name Sani across various regions and disciplines in India and beyond.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sani over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Sani in England and Wales, from 1999 to 2019. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Sani, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2010, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sani by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sani 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4678 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #2943 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Sani
- Samuel 108,505
- Sebastian 33,008
- Sam 20,889
- Stanley 16,354
- Sonny 15,028
- Sean 15,006
- Scott 12,587
- Seth 9,841
- Syed 9,050
- Stephen 8,884
- Spencer 8,333
- Steven 6,970
FAQ
Sani: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sani in the UK right now?
In 2010, Sani was ranked #4678 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Sani most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 3 babies registered as Sani in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sani?
A masculine Arabic name meaning "bright" or "radiant".
How many people are called Sani in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Sani across the 2 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.