Iman Unisex

Popularity: #857 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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.

AminaLaylaZaraNadiaSamiraFatima

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.

AmaniYasminRaniaHananSaminZainabLinaMina

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Iman was first seen in the United States in 1972.

Iman has ranked as high as #1639 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 up 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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 180 89 91
2024 176 84 92
2023 142 61 81
2022 190 81 109
2021 166 82 84
2020 154 50 104
2019 174 66 108
2018 158 73 85
2017 145 40 105
2016 134 28 106
2015 133 28 105
2014 133 21 112
2013 123 27 96
2012 117 19 98
2011 130 13 117
2010 129 21 108
2009 159 13 146
2008 192 28 164
2007 135 18 117
2006 175 19 156
2005 155 18 137
2004 192 19 173
2003 200 31 169
2002 186 29 157
2001 184 22 162
2000 209 35 174
1999 184 36 148
1998 172 24 148
1997 181 26 155
1996 209 31 178
1995 169 25 144
1994 152 26 126
1993 178 17 161
1992 184 22 162
1991 97 20 77
1990 110 14 96
1989 83 12 71
1988 73 9 64
1987 73 12 61
1986 46 13 33
1985 67 14 53
1984 47 9 38
1983 58 8 50
1982 46 10 36
1981 61 22 39
1980 61 25 36
1979 42 19 23
1978 42 18 24
1977 26 8 18
1976 29 10 19
1975 13 5 8
1974 14 14 0
1973 10 10 0
1972 11 11 0

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 26
25%
NY 19
18%
TX 19
18%
VA 10
10%
MN 9
9%
OH 6
6%
WA 6
6%
NJ 5
5%
MD 5
5%