Djali

Djali is best known as the name of Esmeralda’s pet goat in Victor Hugo’s novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and in various adaptations of the story. In Hugo’s 1831 work, Djali accompanies Esmeralda and appears as part of her gypsy life in medieval Paris. The goat is retained as a character in several film and stage adaptations, including the popular 1996 Disney animated feature, where Djali remains Esmeralda’s loyal animal companion and a familiar element of her scenes.

Beyond the fictional usage, Djali has also been used as a personal name in some cultures. As a given name or surname, it appears infrequently and is not tied to a single, widely recognized meaning. When encountered in real-world contexts, it is typically treated simply as a proper name.

In usage, Djali is primarily recognized in literary and popular culture through its association with Esmeralda and her goat. The name’s etymology is not well established in common reference sources, and it is not widely considered to have a standardized meaning outside of the fictional context.