Girl name · Swahili
Imani
“faith”
Vibes
Common nicknames
Short-forms and diminutives parents often use for Imani.
Explore Imani further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Imani — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Imani is faith, borrowed into Swahili from the Arabic īmān along the Indian Ocean trade routes that shaped the language's whole religious and commercial vocabulary. The Bantu grammar is native; a large share of the abstract nouns are not.
It is also the seventh principle of Kwanzaa, observed on the final day, which is how most American families first met the word. That gives it something rare for a virtue name — a fixed date in the year when it is spoken aloud by people who are not naming a baby.
Three syllables with the stress in the middle, so it wants a short middle name (Imani Rose, Imani Grace). On our vibe map it is Soft & Dreamy, with Cultural Fusion held behind a real aesthetic primary.
More Swahili names
Imani sits in our Swahili set — these share its roots.
All Swahili names →Imani — common questions
Is Imani a boy or girl name?
Imani is traditionally a girl name of Swahili origin.
What does the name Imani mean?
Imani means “faith” of Swahili origin. Imani is faith, borrowed into Swahili from the Arabic īmān along the Indian Ocean trade routes that shaped the language's whole religious and commercial vocabulary. The Bantu grammar is native; a large share of the abstract nouns are not.
Where does the name Imani come from?
Imani is Swahili in origin. It is also the seventh principle of Kwanzaa, observed on the final day, which is how most American families first met the word. That gives it something rare for a virtue name — a fixed date in the year when it is spoken aloud by people who are not naming a baby.
What are common nicknames for Imani?
Immy and Mani — the short-forms parents most often use for Imani.
How popular is Imani?
Imani did not make the top 1,000 girls' names in US Social Security Administration data for 2025, which makes it genuinely rare in the US.
Bring the name into the room
A couple of nice things named Imani you might want for the nursery.