Meet Ava
Swahili

Imani

Pronounced ee-MAH-neeShare

Meaning: Faith

  • Gender-neutral
  • Familiar
  • 3 syllables

The story

Imani is the Swahili word for faith, borrowed from Arabic īmān. The name is also established in African American use; that history is distinct from claiming an origin in an unspecified African language.

Nicknames

  • Imi
  • Mani

Spellings & variants

Popularity

Familiar

In the US top 1,000 — familiar, not everywhere.

Lower in the latest US rankings

Style

Origins

Imani comes from Swahili.

More like Imani

More African names
Swahili · Arabic

Amani

Peace in Swahili; wishes in Arabic

Familiar
Twi · Akan

Nhyira

Blessing

Rare gem
Igbo

Amara

Grace in Igbo

Top 100Rising
Igbo

Onyeka

Short form of Onyekachi

Rare gem
Sotho · Tswana

Lethabo

Joy; happiness

Rare gem
Ava for iPhone

Meet more names like Imani in Ava.

Meet one name at a time, with its meaning and origin up front and its story a tap away. Swipe up for the next, heart the ones you love and share them with your partner.

Meet Ava
Ava’s Explore tab: names rising right now, and collections such as Rising, On screen, Bridge names and Rare gems.
Development preview