Imani
Imani is a girls' name of African origin meaning “faith.” It ranked #579 in the United States in 2025. Imani is a Swahili name meaning 'faith' and is one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
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how do you pronounce Imani?
ih-MAH-nee
where does the name Imani come from?
Imani means faith or belief, ultimately from the Arabic إِيمَان (īmān).
It became popular among African American families in the 1970s as part of the cultural pride movement.
how popular is this name?
Imani has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 36 years since 1990. It peaked at #239 in 1996, and ranked #579 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #579 |
| 2024 | #526 |
| 2023 | #476 |
| 2022 | #504 |
| 2021 | #530 |
| 2020 | #522 |
| 2019 | #521 |
| 2018 | #515 |
| 2017 | #541 |
| 2016 | #541 |
| 2010 | #372 |
| 2000 | #303 |
| 1996 | #239 |
| 1990 | #935 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Imani fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Imani
In Swahili imani means faith, and Imani is the seventh principle of Kwanzaa.
who are famous people named Imani?
- Imani Coppola (American singer)
- Imani Hakim (American actress)
what names are similar to Imani?
what names go well with Imani?
Sibling names that share Imani's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Imani
What does the name Imani mean?
Imani means “faith”.
What is the origin of the name Imani?
Imani comes from the African naming tradition.
How popular is the name Imani?
Imani ranked #579 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1996, at #239, and it has spent 36 years in the top 1,000 since 1990.
Is Imani a boy or girl name?
Imani is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Imani?
Imani is pronounced ih-MAH-nee, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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