Gilani

Gilani is a surname and nisba meaning "of Gilan," a region on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea in northern Iran. The term signals a historical or familial link to Gilan and is used by people in Iran, the Indian subcontinent, and the broader Persianate and Muslim world. Variants include Gilani, Gelani, Geelani, and Gilany, with al-Gilani appearing in Arabic renditions.

Origin and usage: The name arises from Gilan; over centuries it spread through migration, trade, and scholarship. In South Asia it has become a common family name among Muslims and is borne by people of various sects and professions.

Notable individuals: Abdul Qadir Gilani, a prominent Sufi saint and founder of the Qadiriyya order; Yousaf Raza Gilani, Pakistani politician who served as prime minister from 2008 to 2012; Syed Ali Geelani, Kashmiri separatist leader and long-time Hurriyat figure.

Geographical distribution: Today the surname is found in Iran, Pakistan, India, and among diaspora communities in Europe and North America.

See also: Gilan; al-Gilani; Gilani (surname).