Imamu
An Arabic name meaning "leader" or "guide", often borne by Muslim males.
Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Imamu. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Imamu today is around 49 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Imamu births was 1973 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Imamu. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Imamu. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
5
~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans
Peak year
1973
5 babies that year
Average age
49
years old
1973 SSA rank
#5,415
Tracked since 1973
Popularity
Imamu: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Imamu by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Imamu during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Imamu
The name Imamu originates from the Arabic language and is derived from the word "Imam," which means "leader" or "guide." It is a name deeply rooted in Islamic culture and tradition.
The earliest recorded usage of the name Imamu can be traced back to the 7th century AD, during the rise of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula. It was often given to individuals who were respected religious scholars, leaders, or teachers within the Muslim community.
One of the most notable historical figures with the name Imamu was Imamu Ahmad ibn Hanbal, a renowned Islamic scholar and theologian who lived from 780 to 855 AD. He was the founder of the Hanbali school of Islamic jurisprudence and is widely revered for his contributions to the study of hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad).
Another prominent individual bearing the name Imamu was Imamu Al-Haramain Al-Juwayni, a Persian Islamic scholar and philosopher who lived from 1028 to 1085 AD. He was a prominent figure in the field of Islamic theology and wrote extensively on subjects such as jurisprudence, ethics, and logic.
In the 12th century, Imamu Al-Ghazali, a highly influential Persian philosopher, theologian, and mystic, left an indelible mark on Islamic thought. Born in 1058 and died in 1111, he is renowned for his contributions to the reconciliation of rational philosophy and Islamic theology.
The name Imamu also holds significance in the Shia branch of Islam. Imamu Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, is revered as the first Imam and the rightful successor to the Prophet's spiritual and political leadership. He lived from 601 to 661 AD and played a crucial role in the early development of Islamic thought and governance.
In the 19th century, Imamu Shamil, a renowned Avar political and religious leader, led a protracted resistance against the Russian Empire in the Caucasus region. Born in 1797 and died in 1871, he is celebrated as a hero and symbol of resistance against foreign occupation in the region.
Throughout history, the name Imamu has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to Islamic scholarship, leadership, and spirituality. It remains a revered name within the Islamic tradition, carrying connotations of guidance, wisdom, and authority.
People
Imamu + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Imamu as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with I
Other first names starting with I with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Imamu: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Imamu?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Imamu going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 68,550,868 US residents.
Is Imamu a common name?
We classify Imamu as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Imamu most popular?
The single biggest year for Imamu was 1973, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Imamu is about 49 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Imamu in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Imamu a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Imamu in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Imamu still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Imamu in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Imamu can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people share the name Imamu?
Want to know how many people have the name Imamu? HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, puts the living-bearer count front and centre.