NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Imaani

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "faith" or "belief".

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.

Imaani is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Imaani popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2115, with 13 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 27 births.

This profile covers 300 England and Wales registrations across 25 recorded years from 1998 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.

The latest count is about 48% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 299 living people in the UK are called Imaani. 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

  • Imaani ranked #2115 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 13 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1998, when 27 girls were registered as Imaani.
  • About 299 living people in the UK are estimated to have Imaani as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2115

2024

Births in 2024

13

Latest year

Peak year

1998

27 births

Estimated living

299

2026

Meaning

What does Imaani mean?

The name Imaani originates from the Arabic language and culture, with its roots traced back to the 7th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic word "iman," which means faith or belief, signifying a strong connection to Islamic principles and traditions.

Imaani is closely associated with the Islamic faith and is often regarded as a name with profound religious significance. In the Quran, the holy book of Islam, the concept of "iman" is frequently mentioned and emphasized as a fundamental pillar of the Islamic faith, highlighting the importance of unwavering belief in Allah and adherence to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Imaani can be found in historical records and manuscripts from the early Islamic era. Notably, it was mentioned in several hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) compilations, which served as important sources of guidance for the Muslim community.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Imaani. One such individual was Imaani bint Bashir al-Ansari (628-685 CE), a prominent female companion of the Prophet Muhammad and a renowned scholar of her time. She was revered for her knowledge and contributions to the preservation of Islamic teachings.

Another historical figure with this name was Imaani ibn Abi Layla (713-765 CE), a renowned jurist and scholar from Kufa, Iraq. He was highly respected for his expertise in Islamic jurisprudence and his contributions to the development of Islamic legal thought.

In the 11th century, Imaani al-Harrawi (1009-1089 CE) was a prominent Sufi scholar and poet from Herat, Afghanistan. Her poetic works, infused with spiritual themes and devotion to Allah, have been widely celebrated and studied within the Sufi tradition.

During the 13th century, Imaani al-Qaadiri (1198-1276 CE) was a renowned Sufi mystic and spiritual leader from Baghdad. She was known for her profound insights into Islamic spirituality and her influential teachings, which inspired many followers and established a significant Sufi order.

In more recent times, Imaani Bashir (1904-1993) was a prominent Pakistani educator and author. She dedicated her life to promoting education and empowering women, establishing several educational institutions and publishing numerous works on Islamic teachings and women's rights.

These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Imaani, reflecting its profound religious and cultural significance within the Arabic and Islamic traditions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Imaani over time

The chart below shows babies named Imaani registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 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 Imaani, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 13 births in 2024, compared with 27 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Imaani
07142027199820112024

Decades

Imaani by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Imaani 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 #2193 67 5
2010s #2032 140 10
2000s #2804 63 8
1990s #2359 30 2

Related

Names similar to Imaani

FAQ

Imaani: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Imaani was ranked #2115 for girls in England and Wales, with 13 births registered.

When was Imaani most popular?

The peak year on record was 1998, with 27 babies registered as Imaani in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Imaani?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "faith" or "belief".

How many people are called Imaani in the UK?

A total of 300 babies have been registered as Imaani across the 25 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.