Rising since 1985, #579 for girls today.
Popularity of Imani since 1970
Babies named Imani per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 255 |
| 1980s | 522 |
| 1990s | 8,011 |
| 2000s | 8,823 |
| 2010s | 6,672 |
| 2020s | 3,534 |
Meaning & origin
Imani first entered U.S. naming records in 1970, and its usage grew steadily, particularly within African American communities inspired by the Kwanzaa principle of faith. The name reached its peak rank of 579 in 1998, with a 1-in-3,139 rate across all births in 2025. Its trajectory has been rising since 1985, reflecting sustained interest. Top states for Imani include Mississippi, Nevada, and Louisiana, indicating cultural resonance in the South and urban centers. While drawn from Swahili, the name's Arabic roots and pan-African appeal have contributed to its cross-cultural use.
Imani is a direct loan from Swahili, meaning 'faith.' The Swahili word itself derives from the Arabic 'īmān (إيمان), which means 'faith' or 'belief.' It is the seventh of seven principles of Kwanzaa, celebrated from December 26 to January 1. The name gained popularity in African American communities in the United States during the late 20th century, especially after the establishment of Kwanzaa in 1966.
Where Imani is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Imani” around the world
Where Imani lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
65
babies in 2024
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
Quebec
6
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ima, Mani, Mimi
Sibling names for Imani
Names that share Imani's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Aaliyah, Zahara, Nia, Sanaa, Amara, Keisha, Ashante, Ayanna, Kamaria, Kimani, Kisha, Lakeisha, Shanequa, Tanisha, Ebonee, Imari, Kecia, Kenyetta, Keshia, Keyonna, Kiesha, Lakia, Makeda, Myesha, Nakeisha, Nubia, Quanisha, Shamika, Shaniqua, Sharice, Takia, Ashanta, Assata, Charde, Daneisha, Deneisha, Ebone, Iyanah, Jameisha, Kaneisha, Kyesha, Lacresha, Lakiya, Laquandra, Laquasha, Lateisha, Makeba, Markeshia, Myeisha, Neema, Quanesha, Shakara, Shakeria, Shaneice, Shaquila, Sheniqua, Talesha, Tanasha, Timika, Yemaya, Zakiah, Afrika, Aqueelah, Ashani, Chanise, Damali, Dameka, Hydeia, Janeisha, Janiqua, Jawanna, Kameka, Kamesha, Kashawna, Keiasia, Kenyada, Kenyata, Keundra, Keyshia, Kwanza, Lakendria, Lakesia, Laketha, Lakrisha, Latice, Makeisha, Niambi, Nyeema, Nyema, Porchia, Quenisha, Ruhani, Shakerra, Shakyla, Shandrea, Shaquala, Shaquetta, Shardai, Sharde, Sharia, Shekia, Taneeka, Tekia, Tykeisha, Tymesha, Zayra, Deshea, Kenasia, Keyonda, Lakeyia, Akeema, Akesha, Amaani, Aneshia, Artesha, Ashantae, Ashantee, Ashaunti, Ashawnti, Chekesha, Corneisha, Dajsha, Ebonye, Jaquasia, Kenyonna, Labresha, Lakeasha, Laqueisha, Lasasha, Lashunta, Laytoya, Marjani, Mashonda, Mikailah, Moneisha, Monifah, Nakkia, Niamani, Nkenge, Olani, Quanetta, Quantisha, Shakeyla, Shamecka, Shanekqua, Shanequia, Shaquel, Shaquela, Shaquella, Shaquilla, Shareece, Shawnique, Shequila, Taquisha, Tauheedah, Temesha, Tomesha, Tuere, Tykerria, Tykesha
Brothers: Malik, Kofi, Kwame, Zaire, Omari, Amiri, Tyrone, Akeem, Daquan, Davon, Davonte, Deion, Demarco, Deonte, Dontae, Jabari, Jamaal, Jamal, Jelani, Kenyatta, Khari, Rashon, Sekani, Semaj, Shaquille, Shomari, Terrell, Amauri, Asante, Dakarai, Damani, Dashaun, Dayshawn, Deanthony, Demarius, Demonte, Deshun, Dontrell, Jahari, Jahlil, Jamarr, Jaquez, Javontae, Javonte, Kadeem, Keyshawn, Marquese, Raekwon, Rasheem, Rayquan, Roshawn, Tahj, Tayshaun, Treshawn, Ahkeem, Akili, Ayinde, Daequan, Daeshawn, Dajour, Dametrius, Dashun, Delante, Demarko, Derrius, Diquan, Dmario, Dmarion, Drequan, Dreshawn, Dshawn, Jabriel, Jahmel, Jakhari, Jamael, Jamahl, Jamani, Jamarie, Javoris, Jevonte, Keonta, Lakeith, Latrelle, Ledarius, Leshawn, Maalik, Sekou, Shavar, Tequan, Travonte, Treshaun, Vashon, Akeen, Antrell, Antwain, Bakari, Daiquan, Daishawn, Dajaun, Deantae, Demontez, Deontray, Dequarius, Diontae, Dontarius, Dontavis, Dyquan, Dyshawn, Fuquan, Ikeem, Jabarri, Jabri, Jah, Jahmai, Jalik, Jaqwan, Jawanza, Jobani, Kayode, Kedarius, Kejuan, Khalfani, Kwane, Kweli, Latavious, Lavontae, Lequan, Mahlik, Marquay, Marshun, Naquan, Quandarius, Quron, Rahkeem, Rasaan, Roshon, Shaka, Shamere, Tevion, Treyshawn, Tykeem, Tyriek, Yahmir, Bomani, Delontae, Dontai, Jabori, Kenyatte, Mandela, Marquail, Ajamu, Artrell, Ashawn, Atiba, Avondre, Damarko, Daquane, Daquann, Darshawn, Deamonte, Detron, Deunte, Devaunte, Deyonte, Dmoni, Eshawn, Jaquann, Jaquille, Jumaane, Juwuan, Keiandre, Kemontae, Kwamane, Lamarkus, Laquon, Latravious, Monterrio, Ojani, Omarii, Onaje, Oshae, Shaheim, Shaquile, Shaquill, Shaquon, Tashan, Tyreak
Names like Imani
Names whose popularity has moved with Imani's over the last 50 years.
