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Imani

Swahili · First name · unisex · descriptive name

Kiswahili for "faith".

Source: Swahili naming tradition, cross-referenced across Behind the Name (Swahili names) and independent Swahili-naming resources

Other Swahili first names

Kiswahili for "peace".

Kiswahili for "luck, good fortune".

Kiswahili for "blessing". From Arabic baraka, fully naturalised as a common noun.

From cha usiku, "of the night" — a child born during the night.

Kiswahili for "joy, happiness".

Born on a Thursday (Alhamisi), from Arabic al-khamis, "the fifth". Also spelled Khamisi.

Kiswahili for "wisdom".

Kiswahili for "the brave one".

Born on a Friday (Ijumaa), the day of congregational prayer — from Arabic jumu'a. One of the most common Swahili male names.

Born on a Tuesday. In the Swahili week Tuesday is Jumanne, literally "day four" (the week begins on Saturday).

The mwana- ("child of") compound with juma (Friday): a girl born on a Friday.

Kiswahili for "grace, favour, prosperity". From Arabic ni'ma, long since an everyday Kiswahili word.

Kiswahili for "purpose, intention".

Kiswahili for "light". From Arabic nur.

Kiswahili for "love", from the verb -penda ("to love"). Also found in the fuller form Upendo.

Kiswahili for "mercy, compassion". From Arabic rahma.

Kiswahili for "patience".

Kiswahili for "three" — a third-born child.

Kiswahili for "nine" — a ninth-born child.

Kiswahili for "hope", from the verb -tumaini ("to hope, to trust").

Kiswahili for "gift" — a child received as a gift.

More descriptive names, from other cultures

Ayyur · Amazigh

Tamazight for "moon".

Desta · Amharic

Amharic for "joy, happiness".

Djama · Bambara

Bambara for "the crowd" or "the community".

Chilufya · Bemba

Bemba for "the one who is lost".

Kasuba · Bemba

Bemba for "sun".

Chifundo · Chewa

Chichewa for "mercy".

Chikondi · Chewa

Chichewa for "love".

Agibu · Fulani

Fulfulde for "patient" or "meticulous".

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