Jailani

Jailani is associated with Jilani or Gilani, a name indicating a connection with Gilan, the region beside the Caspian Sea in northern Iran. In this tradition, the name identifies a regional connection, much as other geographical surnames record a family’s place of origin. The ending belongs to a name expressing regional origin or affiliation.

Abdul Qadir al-Jilani, the religious scholar associated with the Qadiriyya Sufi tradition, gives the name a prominent spiritual connection. Different Latin-alphabet spellings reflect the way this regional name travels through several languages. In modern use Jailani can also be a given name, but that does not mean every bearer belongs to a particular lineage or intends a religious dedication.