Damani first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Damani has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Damani

A feminine name of African origin meaning "beautiful, precious".

Popularity of Damani by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Damani is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 80% of people named Damani being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 75 male babies and 14 female babies born with the name Damani.

YearMale CountFemale Count
20247514
20236124
20226524
20216917
20206417
20197222
20186013
20176714
20166917
20157625
201411528
201312440
201215840
20116835
20106224
20096435
20087022
20076225
20065936
20056326
20048915
20038029
20028523
2001927
20009223
19998916
1998787
19975813
1996436
1995450
1994380
1993360
1992460
1991140
198850
198260
198050
197970
197860
197780
1976120
1975140

The history of the first name Damani

The name Damani is of African origin, specifically from the Swahili language spoken in parts of East Africa. It is believed to have emerged during the 17th or 18th century when Swahili culture was flourishing along the coastal regions of present-day Kenya and Tanzania.

Damani is derived from the Swahili word "amani," which means "peace" or "tranquility." The prefix "da" is often used in Swahili to denote a person who possesses or embodies a particular quality or characteristic. Thus, the name Damani can be interpreted as "one who brings or embodies peace."

While the name does not appear to have any direct references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its association with the concept of peace aligns with the principles of many spiritual and philosophical traditions across Africa and beyond.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Damani can be traced back to the late 18th century, when it was used by members of the Swahili community in the coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya. However, it was not until the 20th century that the name gained wider popularity, both within Africa and among the African diaspora in other parts of the world.

Notable historical figures with the name Damani include:

  1. Damani Denzel, a Ghanaian musician and songwriter born in 1976, known for his contributions to the Ghanaian hiplife genre.

  2. Damani Johnson, an American professional basketball player born in 1990, who played in various leagues including the NBA G League.

  3. Damani Baker, an American author and motivational speaker born in 1977, known for his work on personal development and self-improvement.

  4. Damani Phillips, an American visual artist and painter born in 1982, known for her vibrant and expressive abstract works.

  5. Damani Lemore, an American football player born in 1988, who played as a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) from 2010 to 2014.

The name Damani has remained popular among various African communities and has also gained recognition globally, reflecting the diverse cultural heritage and values associated with its meaning of peace and tranquility.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Damani was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Damani, please contact us.

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