Imari Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ee-MAH-ree /iːˈmɑːri/
Origin: Japanese; African
Meaning: Japanese: 'to be beautiful'; African: 'the one who is loved'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Imari has its roots in Japanese, where it is often written with the kanji characters for "to be beautiful" or "to be loved." The etymology can be traced back to the Japanese language, which has a rich tradition of names that convey positive meanings and aspirations. The name itself is a modern creation, reflecting the aesthetic values of Japanese culture, where names are often chosen for their meanings and the beauty of their sounds.
The path of the name into English-speaking contexts is primarily through cultural exchange and the increasing interest in Japanese culture, particularly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Historically, the use of names like Imari can be linked to the broader context of Japanese naming conventions, which have evolved over centuries.
The Edo period (1603-1868) saw a flourishing of arts and culture in Japan, during which time the significance of names and their meanings became increasingly important. While Imari itself may not have notable historical figures associated with it, the cultural backdrop of Japan during this time contributed to the appreciation of names that embody beauty and affection.
Culturally, the name Imari resonates with themes of beauty and love, which are significant in various aspects of Japanese art and literature. The name may also evoke connections to Imari ware, a type of Japanese porcelain that originated in the town of Arita during the 17th century.
This pottery is celebrated for its intricate designs and vibrant colors, further reinforcing the associations of beauty and craftsmanship linked to the name. Overall, Imari encapsulates a blend of linguistic beauty and cultural significance, reflecting the values and aesthetics of its Japanese origins.
Famous people named Imari
In this section, you will find notable people named Imari. 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 Imari who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Imari 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.
Imari Kunitake is a musician best known for his work in the jazz genre and collaborations with various artists.
Imari Tones is a visual artist best known for his contemporary art installations and exhibitions.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Imari, 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 Imari. 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 Imari was first seen in the United States in 1969.
Imari has ranked as high as #2263 nationally, which occurred in 2003, and has been most popular in California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Georgia.
In the past 5 years the name Imari has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Imari 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 Imari was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Imari (2023)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 6 |
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 Imari.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 47 | 24 | 23 |
| 2024 | 51 | 28 | 23 |
| 2023 | 50 | 31 | 19 |
| 2022 | 64 | 43 | 21 |
| 2021 | 49 | 34 | 15 |
| 2020 | 83 | 50 | 33 |
| 2019 | 57 | 40 | 17 |
| 2018 | 45 | 26 | 19 |
| 2017 | 64 | 40 | 24 |
| 2016 | 76 | 40 | 36 |
| 2015 | 71 | 49 | 22 |
| 2014 | 43 | 21 | 22 |
| 2013 | 52 | 10 | 42 |
| 2012 | 74 | 24 | 50 |
| 2011 | 85 | 32 | 53 |
| 2010 | 92 | 37 | 55 |
| 2009 | 119 | 45 | 74 |
| 2008 | 119 | 27 | 92 |
| 2007 | 112 | 33 | 79 |
| 2006 | 105 | 17 | 88 |
| 2005 | 117 | 30 | 87 |
| 2004 | 126 | 26 | 100 |
| 2003 | 161 | 37 | 124 |
| 2002 | 135 | 32 | 103 |
| 2001 | 144 | 24 | 120 |
| 2000 | 142 | 26 | 116 |
| 1999 | 98 | 15 | 83 |
| 1998 | 137 | 29 | 108 |
| 1997 | 114 | 18 | 96 |
| 1996 | 103 | 10 | 93 |
| 1995 | 112 | 19 | 93 |
| 1994 | 96 | 17 | 79 |
| 1993 | 95 | 18 | 77 |
| 1992 | 79 | 16 | 63 |
| 1991 | 67 | 12 | 55 |
| 1990 | 41 | 8 | 33 |
| 1989 | 37 | 7 | 30 |
| 1988 | 39 | 7 | 32 |
| 1987 | 24 | 5 | 19 |
| 1986 | 41 | 7 | 34 |
| 1985 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 1983 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1978 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1977 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1975 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1974 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 1973 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1972 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1971 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1969 | 6 | 6 | 0 |