Imani Unisex
Origin(s)
Pronunciationee-MAH-nee / iˈmɑːniSwahili
Meaning
faith
Historical & Cultural Background
Imani is a name of Swahili origin, commonly used in East African cultures. It is often associated with the concept of faith and belief. The name gained popularity in the United States during the civil rights movement, symbolizing hope and resilience. It is also one of the seven principles celebrated during Kwanzaa, representing faith.
Trend Summary
Imani has seen a steady presence in U.S. baby name rankings, particularly among African American communities.
Similar Names
Variants
- Imane
- Imaani
International Variants
- Imane (Arabic)
- Imani (Swahili)
Famous people named Imani
Imani Walker is a television personality known for her role on the reality series 'Married to Medicine'.
Imani Perry is an accomplished author and professor, recognized for her work on African American studies.
Fictional characters named Imani
Imani is a character in the animated series 'The Proud Family', known for her strong personality.
Imani is a character in the novel 'The Girl Who Drank the Moon', representing bravery and loyalty.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Imani was first seen in the United States in 1970. Imani has ranked as high as #475 nationally, which occurred in 1998, and has been most popular in New York, California, Florida, Texas, and Georgia. In the past 5 years the name Imani has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Imani (2024)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
TX | 91 | |
CA | 46 | |
FL | 37 | |
NY | 33 | |
GA | 31 | |
LA | 20 | |
TN | 20 | |
VA | 18 | |
SC | 17 | |
NC | 16 | |
OH | 16 | |
NJ | 15 | |
MD | 15 | |
IN | 14 | |
AZ | 12 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1970 | 9 |
1971 | 15 |
1972 | 21 |
1973 | 29 |
1974 | 32 |
1975 | 25 |
1976 | 25 |
1977 | 31 |
1978 | 36 |
1979 | 32 |
1980 | 37 |
1981 | 36 |
1982 | 40 |
1983 | 42 |
1984 | 32 |
1985 | 36 |
1986 | 48 |
1987 | 48 |
1988 | 76 |
1989 | 127 |
1990 | 203 |
1991 | 288 |
1992 | 427 |
1993 | 541 |
1994 | 905 |
1995 | 1,034 |
1996 | 1,171 |
1997 | 1,185 |
1998 | 1,222 |
1999 | 1,035 |
2000 | 1,051 |
2001 | 1,047 |
2002 | 968 |
2003 | 954 |
2004 | 801 |
2005 | 757 |
2006 | 785 |
2007 | 845 |
2008 | 841 |
2009 | 774 |
2010 | 861 |
2011 | 809 |
2012 | 807 |
2013 | 628 |
2014 | 626 |
2015 | 584 |
2016 | 576 |
2017 | 573 |
2018 | 607 |
2019 | 596 |
2020 | 579 |
2021 | 582 |
2022 | 627 |
2023 | 647 |
2024 | 583 |