NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Ima

A feminine Japanese name meaning "present, now" or "residing within.".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Ima is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Ima popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2771, with 9 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 9 births.

This profile covers 27 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 1999 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

Ima is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 27 living people in the UK are called Ima. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Ima ranked #2771 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 9 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2024, when 9 girls were registered as Ima.
  • About 27 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ima as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2771

2024

Births in 2024

9

Latest year

Peak year

2024

9 births

Estimated living

27

2026

Meaning

What does Ima mean?

The name Ima has its roots in various ancient languages and cultures, tracing back to antiquity. One potential origin is from the Sanskrit word "Iama," meaning "Lord of the Universe" or "Divine Being." This connection suggests that the name may have been associated with spiritual or religious contexts in ancient Indian civilizations.

Another possible source is the Hebrew word "Immah," which translates to "mother" or "grandmother." In this interpretation, Ima could have been a name bestowed upon females, carrying the connotation of nurturing and maternal qualities. Some scholars also link it to the Hebrew word "Ima," meaning "with" or "beside," implying companionship or togetherness.

In ancient Egyptian mythology, the name Ima may have been derived from the goddess Imat, who was revered as the personification of fertility and renewal. This association would have given the name a symbolic significance within Egyptian culture and beliefs.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ima can be found in the ancient Sumerian literature, where it was used as a personal name for both males and females. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest known literary works, a character named Ima appears as a minor figure.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Ima. Among them was Ima Pedersen (1849-1936), a Norwegian writer and women's rights activist who played a pivotal role in the early feminist movement in her country. Another remarkable figure was Ima Hogg (1882-1975), an American philanthropist and patron of the arts, known for her significant contributions to the preservation of historic sites and cultural institutions in Texas.

In the realm of ancient philosophy, Ima Alnairi (c. 500 BCE) was a renowned Greek philosopher and mathematician, recognized for her groundbreaking work in the field of geometry. Her treatises and theorems influenced the development of mathematical thought in the classical world.

Ima Sumac (1922-2008), a Peruvian soprano, was celebrated for her remarkable vocal range and her fusion of traditional Andean music with contemporary styles. Her unique sound and performances captivated audiences worldwide, earning her a place in the annals of music history.

Lastly, Ima Nazreen (1975-present) is a contemporary Malaysian artist and activist, renowned for her powerful installations and multimedia works that address social and environmental issues. Her thought-provoking creations have garnered international acclaim and sparked important dialogues on various global concerns.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Ima over time

The chart below shows babies named Ima registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Ima, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 9 births in 2024, compared with 9 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Ima
02579199920112024

Decades

Ima by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ima was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #4354 16 3
2010s #4049 5 1
2000s #4598 3 1
1990s #3900 3 1

Related

Names similar to Ima

FAQ

Ima: questions and answers

How popular is the name Ima in the UK right now?

In 2024, Ima was ranked #2771 for girls in England and Wales, with 9 births registered.

When was Ima most popular?

The peak year on record was 2024, with 9 babies registered as Ima in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Ima?

A feminine Japanese name meaning "present, now" or "residing within.".

How many people are called Ima in the UK?

A total of 27 babies have been registered as Ima across the 6 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.