UK girl's name
Tolani
A feminine Nigerian name meaning "The One God Enriches.".
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.
Tolani is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Tolani popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4843, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 5 births.
This profile covers 22 England and Wales registrations across 6 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 80% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 22 living people in the UK are called Tolani. 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
- • Tolani ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2022, when 5 girls were registered as Tolani.
- • About 22 living people in the UK are estimated to have Tolani as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4843
2024
Births in 2024
4
Latest year
Peak year
2022
5 births
Estimated living
22
2026
Meaning
What does Tolani mean?
The name Tolani originates from the Yoruba language, spoken primarily in southwestern Nigeria and parts of Benin and Togo. It is derived from the Yoruba words "tó" meaning "to awaken" and "lànì" meaning "fortune" or "wealth." Thus, the name Tolani can be interpreted as "awakening fortune" or "awakening wealth."
The Yoruba people have a rich cultural heritage dating back several centuries, and the name Tolani likely emerged during this time period. It is believed to have been a traditional name given to children as a way of bestowing good fortune and prosperity upon them.
While there are no known historical references to the name Tolani in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been a popular name among the Yoruba people for generations. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name dates back to the late 19th century, when Tolani Aina (1877-1956) was born in Abeokuta, Nigeria. She went on to become a prominent educator and advocate for women's rights in her country.
Another notable figure with the name Tolani was Tolani Asuni (1904-1972), a Nigerian lawyer and politician who served as the Minister of Labor and Welfare in the First Republic of Nigeria from 1960 to 1962.
Tolani Akingbade (1914-1988) was a Nigerian writer and playwright who authored several plays and short stories that explored themes of cultural identity and social issues within the Yoruba community.
Tolani Balogun (born 1957) is a contemporary Nigerian-American author and lawyer who has written extensively on issues of race, gender, and social justice.
Tolani Alli (born 1982) is a Nigerian-British fashion designer and entrepreneur who has gained recognition for her eponymous clothing line and efforts to promote sustainable fashion.
Throughout history, the name Tolani has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including educators, politicians, writers, and artists. Its meaning and cultural significance have endured, serving as a reminder of the rich traditions and values of the Yoruba people.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Tolani over time
The chart below shows babies named Tolani registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, 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 Tolani, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tolani by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Tolani 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 | #4769 | 12 | 3 |
| 2010s | #5661 | 6 | 2 |
| 1990s | #3126 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Tolani
- Tia 15,569
- Thea 12,888
- Tilly 11,524
- Taylor 7,401
- Tegan 6,583
- Tabitha 6,462
- Talia 5,198
- Tara 5,114
- Tiffany 4,653
- Tallulah 4,442
- Tiana 3,570
- Tamara 3,405
FAQ
Tolani: questions and answers
How popular is the name Tolani in the UK right now?
In 2024, Tolani was ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Tolani most popular?
The peak year on record was 2022, with 5 babies registered as Tolani in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Tolani?
A feminine Nigerian name meaning "The One God Enriches.".
How many people are called Tolani in the UK?
A total of 22 babies have been registered as Tolani across the 6 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.