Find out how popular the last name Imani is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Imani.

Imani, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Imani surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Imani in America

Imani is the 39164th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Imani surname appeared 562 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Imani.

We can also compare 2010 data for Imani to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Imani

The surname IMANI is of Swahili origin, originating in East Africa, particularly in the regions of Kenya and Tanzania. It derives from the Swahili word "imani," which means "faith" or "belief." The name is believed to have emerged during the 19th century, when many African names were created or popularized as a means of cultural identity and pride.

Historically, the name IMANI is not found in early written records or manuscripts, as the majority of African names were passed down orally from generation to generation. However, with the spread of Islam and Christianity in East Africa, the name gained recognition and became more widely documented.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname IMANI was Juma Imani, a Tanzanian farmer and community leader who lived in the late 19th century. His efforts in promoting sustainable agriculture and community development were widely recognized in his region.

Another notable figure was Mwalimu Imani, a Kenyan educator and author who lived in the mid-20th century. He wrote several books on African culture and literature, contributing to the preservation of traditional knowledge and values.

In the realm of music, the name IMANI gained prominence with the rise of Imani Uzuri, an American singer and songwriter born in 1979. Her music, which blends various genres, often explores themes of spirituality and self-empowerment.

In sports, Imani Hakim, born in 1993, is a professional basketball player from the United States. She has played for several teams in the WNBA and has represented her country in international competitions.

Lastly, Imani Tate, born in 1985, is an American actress and model who has appeared in numerous television shows and films, including "Ballers" and "The Purge: Election Year."

While the surname IMANI may have originated in East Africa, it has since gained global recognition and is now found in various parts of the world, each with its unique cultural and personal significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Imani

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Imani.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Imani was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Imani has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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