Iman Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ee-MAHN /iːˈmɑːn/
Origin: Arabic; Persian
Meaning: Arabic: faith; Persian: trust
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Iman has its roots in the Arabic language, derived from the word "iman," which translates to "faith" or "belief." This term is significant in Islamic theology, where it denotes the faith that a believer has in God and the tenets of Islam. The name has been adopted in various cultures influenced by Arabic, particularly in regions where Islam is a predominant religion.
Through the spread of Islam from the 7th century onwards, the name Iman became more widely recognized and used across different linguistic and cultural contexts, including Persian, Turkish, and South Asian languages. Historically, the name has been associated with various notable figures in Islamic history.
For instance, the concept of iman is central to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, who emphasized the importance of faith in the lives of Muslims. Additionally, the name has been borne by several prominent women in Islamic history, contributing to its cultural significance.
The use of Iman as a name can also be traced in classical Arabic literature and poetry, where it often symbolizes strength, conviction, and moral integrity. Culturally, Iman resonates with themes of spirituality and devotion, making it a name that carries a weight of significance in many Muslim communities.
The name is often celebrated for its positive connotations and is sometimes used in conjunction with other names to form compound names that reflect virtues or attributes. While diminutive forms are less common, variations such as Imani can be found in certain cultures, reflecting a similar meaning of faith.
Overall, the name Iman embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic, historical, and cultural elements that underscore its enduring appeal.
Famous people named Iman
In this section, you will find notable people named Iman. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Iman who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Iman who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Iman is a model and actress best known for her work with Vogue, her cosmetics line, and her marriage to David Bowie.
Iman Shumpert is a professional basketball player best known for his time with the New York Knicks, winning an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and his appearance on Dancing with the Stars.
Fictional characters named Iman
The following list of fictional characters named Iman is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Iman is a fictional character from the animated series The Amazing World of Gumball. They are a minor character who appears as a student at Elmore Junior High, known for their unique fashion sense.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Iman, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Iman. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Iman was first seen in the United States in 1975.
Iman has ranked as high as #1054 nationally, which occurred in 1996, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Illinois, and Virginia.
In the past 5 years the name Iman has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Iman is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Iman was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Iman (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 16 | |
| NY | 10 | |
| MN | 9 | |
| TX | 7 | |
| OH | 6 | |
| WA | 6 | |
| NJ | 5 | |
| VA | 5 | |
| MD | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Iman.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 92 |
| 2023 | 81 |
| 2022 | 109 |
| 2021 | 83 |
| 2020 | 104 |
| 2019 | 108 |
| 2018 | 85 |
| 2017 | 105 |
| 2016 | 106 |
| 2015 | 105 |
| 2014 | 112 |
| 2013 | 96 |
| 2012 | 98 |
| 2011 | 117 |
| 2010 | 108 |
| 2009 | 146 |
| 2008 | 164 |
| 2007 | 117 |
| 2006 | 156 |
| 2005 | 137 |
| 2004 | 173 |
| 2003 | 169 |
| 2002 | 157 |
| 2001 | 162 |
| 2000 | 174 |
| 1999 | 148 |
| 1998 | 148 |
| 1997 | 155 |
| 1996 | 178 |
| 1995 | 144 |
| 1994 | 126 |
| 1993 | 161 |
| 1992 | 162 |
| 1991 | 77 |
| 1990 | 96 |
| 1989 | 71 |
| 1988 | 64 |
| 1987 | 61 |
| 1986 | 33 |
| 1985 | 53 |
| 1984 | 38 |
| 1983 | 50 |
| 1982 | 36 |
| 1981 | 39 |
| 1980 | 36 |
| 1979 | 23 |
| 1978 | 24 |
| 1977 | 18 |
| 1976 | 19 |
| 1975 | 8 |