Back to Baby Names

Iman

Pronunciation: [ EYEM-uhn ]

Boy Name #1,896 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A name rooted in the deepest spiritual conviction

Arabic Islamic Persian Swahili African
Spiritual Elegant Classic Strong

Meaning & Origin

"trust, conviction"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic

The Story of Iman

Iman derives from the Arabic root amana meaning to believe or to trust, giving the name its core meaning of faith or belief. In Islamic theology, Iman specifically refers to complete faith in God, and the name is widely used for both boys and girls across the Arabic-speaking and Muslim world. It is especially common in Iran, Egypt, Somalia, and sub-Saharan Africa.

Iman is a perennial favorite in Muslim-majority countries and diaspora communities worldwide. In the West, the name gained wider recognition through the Somali-American supermodel Iman (the girl form), though as a boy's name it remains more culturally specific.

Iman is one of the foundational concepts in Islam, referring to sincere belief in God, the angels, the prophets, the scriptures, the Day of Judgment, and divine decree. Naming a son Iman is an expression of deep religious devotion.

Fun Facts

  • Iman is one of the Six Articles of Faith in Islam
  • The supermodel Iman (born 1955) is among the most famous bearers of this name globally
  • Imani, the Swahili form, is one of the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa

Iman in Other Languages

Urdu ایمان
Arabic إيمان
Persian ایمان
Swahili Imani
Turkish İman

Famous People Named Iman

I

Iman Shumpert

Athlete

1990

American NBA basketball player and rapper

I

Iman

Other

1955

Somali-American supermodel, actress and entrepreneur; wife of David Bowie

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#1,896
Total SSA Count
84
Cultural Origins
Arabic Islamic Persian Swahili African
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Pairs Well With

Iman Ali Iman Hassan Iman Omar Iman Malik Iman Kareem Iman Rashid

Sibling Names

Also a Girl Name

Iman is also used as a girl name, ranked #2086.

View Iman as a girl name →

Similar Names

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Iman and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Iman sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name
Browse more boy names →

Explore More Generators

Frequently Asked Questions About Iman

What does the name Iman mean?
"trust, conviction" (from Arabic). Iman derives from the Arabic root amana meaning to believe or to trust, giving the name its core meaning of faith or belief. In Islamic theology, Iman specifically refers to complete faith in God, and the name is widely used for both boys and girls across the Arabic-speaking and Muslim world. It is especially common in Iran, Egypt, Somalia, and sub-Saharan Africa.
What is the origin of the name Iman?
Iman has Arabic, Islamic, Persian, Swahili, and African origins. In Arabic, it means "trust, conviction".
Is Iman a boy or girl name?
Iman is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1896. As a girl name, it is ranked #2086. Iman is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Iman?
Iman is pronounced EYEM-uhn.
How popular is the name Iman?
Iman is currently ranked #1896 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Iman?
Popular middle name pairings include Iman Ali, Iman Hassan, Iman Omar, Iman Malik, Iman Kareem, and Iman Rashid.
What are good sibling names for Iman?
Names that pair well with Iman as siblings include Zara, Layla, Omar, Amira, Yusuf, and Nadia.
How many syllables does Iman have?
Iman has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Iman a common or rare name?
Iman is an uncommon name, ranked #1896 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Iman

Iman is a boy name with Arabic, Islamic, Persian, Swahili, and African origins . The name means "trust, conviction" in Arabic .

Is Iman a boy or girl name? Iman is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,896 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,086. Iman is more commonly used as a boy name.

Iman is currently ranked #1,896 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Iman has 2 syllables and is pronounced EYEM-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Alternative spellings of Iman include Imani, Imari . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

Explore Name Lists