Girl Name · Swahili Origin
Imani
Imani means “Faith, belief”. It is a girl's name of Swahili origin, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Imani — a girl name from the Swahili tradition — is an uncommon, standout choice. Its meaning, "Faith, belief", anchors the name in something deeper than sound alone. If Iman is on your shortlist, Imani belongs in the same conversation.
Imani meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Faith, belief
Origin: Swahili naming roots help connect Imani to related Swahili baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Imani as I·M·A·N·I, with 5 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Imani is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Imani variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Imania, Imanie, Imaniy, Iman.
- Nicknames: Ima and I.
- Middle names: Pair Imani with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Imani middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Iman, Immanuel, Imelda, Imogene, Ima — full picks on the sibling names for Imani guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Imani? Browse our names like Imani guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Imani
What does the name Imani mean?
Imani means "Faith, belief" and is of Swahili origin. The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Imani is used as a girl name.
What is the origin of Imani?
Imani originates in Swahili naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Imani?
Imani has 5 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Imani a boy's or girl's name?
Imani is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Imani in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Imani sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Imani?
Names that share Imani's sound and style include Iman, Immanuel, Imelda, Imogene, Ima.
What middle names pair well with Imani?
Good middle-name fits for Imani pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Imani is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Imani is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Imani?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Imani share its rhythm without rhyming — Iman, Immanuel, Imelda all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.