What does Amani mean?
Swahili, 'peace,' from Arabic aman. Unisex.
What does Imani mean?
Swahili, 'faith,' borrowed from Arabic iman. It is one of the seven Kwanzaa principles (nguzo saba). Used for either sex, leaning feminine.
Amani vs Imani
Which is more popular?
Imani is more popular than Amani today: about 512 US babies were given the name Imani in 2025, compared with 419 named Amani.
| Amani | Imani | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Peace | Faith |
| Origin | swahili | swahili |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex |
| Pronunciation | ah-MAH-nee | ee-MAH-nee |
| Syllables | 3 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1969 | 1970 |
| Peak year | 2008 (529) | 1998 (1,222) |
| In 2025 | 419 | 512 |
| Trend | Steady | Declining |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Amani
Imani
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Amani | Imani |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 2,738 | 3,534 |
| 2010s | 4,414 | 6,672 |
| 2000s | 4,206 | 8,823 |
| 1990s | 1,744 | 8,011 |
| 1980s | 226 | 522 |
| 1970s | 106 | 255 |
| 1960s | 6 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Amani or Imani more popular?
Imani is more popular than Amani today: about 512 US babies were given the name Imani in 2025, compared with 419 named Amani.
What is the difference between Amani and Imani?
Amani means Peace (swahili origin), while Imani means Faith (swahili origin).
Which name is older, Amani or Imani?
In US records, Amani first appears in 1969 and Imani in 1970, so Amani has the longer recorded history.