Amani

♀ Girl

Pronounced ah-MAH-nee /ɑːˈmɑː.ni/High

Meaning: From Swahili and Arabic amani meaning peace, security, or wishes; in Arabic amani is the plural of umniyya meaning wish or hope; the Swahili meaning of peace is the most commonly cited for use as a given nameHigh

In 30 seconds: A melodic three-syllable East African and Arabic name meaning peace and wishes, Amani has a gentle, universal appeal and is rising in the United States among parents of African heritage and beyond.

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Origin HighSwahili, Arabic

MeaningFrom Swahili and Arabic amani meaning peace, security, or wishes; in Arabic amani is the plural of umniyya meaning wish or hope; the Swahili meaning of peace is the most commonly cited for use as a given name

U.S. rank (2025)#678 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births419 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2008

Total births (all-time)≈ 13,437

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Amani comes from both Swahili and Arabic. In Swahili, amani means peace or security. In Arabic, amani is the plural of umniyya, meaning wishes or hopes. The name has been used across East Africa in Swahili-speaking communities (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda) and across the Arabic-speaking world. Both meanings — peace and wishes — are warmly positive.

In the United States, Amani has been used among African American communities and among first and second-generation immigrants from East Africa and the Arab world. It has been rising slowly but steadily on U.S. name charts since the late 20th century. Its three-syllable melody and peaceful meaning give it a broad appeal beyond any single cultural community.

Did you know? Amani is the Swahili word for peace — and Swahili, one of Africa's most widely spoken languages, uses words of both Bantu and Arabic origin in its vocabulary, making Amani a name that sits beautifully at the intersection of two great cultural traditions.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name — Amani — etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AmanyAmaní

Nicknames

AmiMani

Famous Bearers

★Amani (1980-)
Kenyan singer and songwriter, winner at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards
★Amani Toomer (1974-)
American former NFL wide receiver for the New York Giants
★Amani Oruwariye (1996-)
American NFL cornerback

If you like Amani…

Amara— shares the same African origins, similar sound, and the same peaceful/grace meaning category

Imani— fellow Swahili-origin name (meaning faith) from the same East African naming tradition

Zuri— another Swahili girls' name meaning beautiful, sharing the same cultural heritage

Nadia— shares the three-syllable flow and the same wish/hope meaning from Slavic tradition

Explore names like Amani

By themearabic three-syllable swahili african peace

By meaningPeace Hope Gift / Blessing

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Amani mean?

Amani means peace in Swahili and wishes or hopes in Arabic. Both meanings are warmly positive.

How do you pronounce Amani?

It is said ah-MAH-nee /ɑːˈmɑː.ni/ — three syllables with stress on the second.

Where is Amani used as a name?

Amani is used across East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda) in Swahili-speaking communities and across the Arabic-speaking world.

Is Amani a popular name in the U.S.?

Amani has been rising in the United States among families of African and Middle Eastern heritage and is slowly gaining broader appeal.