Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Sekani
Boy· “laughter”
- Meaning
- laughter (origin disputed)
- Pronunciation
- seh-KAH-nee
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,187
- US babies 2025
- 173
- Best rank
- #874 (2019)
- Peak year
- 2019
Meaning and origin of Sekani
Sekani is often said to mean “laughter”; the origin is uncertain.
Sekani is a name whose origin is disputed. It is often listed in baby-name books as a Malawian or Chewa name meaning laughter, but reliable sources for this meaning are hard to find. The same word also names the Sekani, an Indigenous people of northern British Columbia, which is a separate usage. It is said seh-KAH-nee. The name has a rhythmic, three-syllable sound, and it is uncommon enough to feel distinctive. Parents who choose it are often drawn to its sound and the cheerful meaning associated with it, while understanding that the source is uncertain.
Popularity over time
Sekani first appears in US Social Security records in 2001. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 1 different years, starting in 2019. Its best national rank was #874 in 2019, the same year it reached its highest count of 252 babies. In 2025, 173 babies were named Sekani, and it ranked #1,187 nationally.
Of the 1,333 US boys named Sekani since records began, 79% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Kyng, Achilles, Turner, Osiris, and Malakhi.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Sekani ranked highest in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #512 | 6 |
| Louisiana | #527 | 9 |
| Alabama | #673 | 7 |
| North Carolina | #676 | 14 |
| South Carolina | #857 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 82% of US babies named Sekani over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Sekani is usually pronounced seh-KAH-nee, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with S and ends in “-ni”.
Middle names for Sekani
A few middle names that flow with Sekani: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Sekani
Similar names
Giovani Boy
joh-VAH-nee
“variant of Giovanni, 'God is gracious'” · Italian
#1,312
Jovanni Boy
joh-VAH-nee
“God is gracious” · Italian
#1,118
Jelani Unisex
juh-LAH-nee
“mighty” · Swahili
#2,156
Armani Unisex
ahr-MAH-nee
“from the Italian surname; army man” · Italian
#495
Amari Unisex
uh-MAH-ree
American (modern coinage)
#185
Giovanni Boy
jee-oh-VAH-nee
“God is gracious” · Italian
#123
Gianni Boy
JAH-nee
“short form of Giovanni, 'God is gracious'” · Italian
#524
Luan Boy
loo-AHN
“uncertain; often linked to Albanian lion”
#1,220
Bryce Boy
BRYS
“uncertain; from Saint Brice” · French
#357
Ryker Boy
RY-kur
American (modern coinage)
#183
Arlo Boy
AHR-loh
English
#148
Marlon Boy
MAHR-luhn
#1,105
Lists that include Sekani
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sekani mean?
Sekani is often said to mean “laughter”; the origin is uncertain.
Is Sekani a popular name?
Not especially. Sekani ranked #1,187 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Sekani a boy or girl name?
Sekani is mainly a boy's name. About 82% of US babies named Sekani over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Sekani?
Sekani is usually pronounced seh-KAH-nee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings