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Help[Opinions] Ida got replaced by...
Imani.
Hurricane Ida's name got replaced because of the damage; and Imani may be used in 2027 for the first time.
Honestly, I didn't expect to see this name as a replacement for Ida. My top options were Ivy, Ivory and Imogen.
Despite that, I like it. It's straightforward and recognizable - not trying hard.
What are your thoughts?
“Dear optimist, pessimist, and realist – while you guys were busy arguing about the glass of wine, I drank it! Sincerely, the opportunist!”
-Lori Greiner
Hurricane Ida's name got replaced because of the damage; and Imani may be used in 2027 for the first time.
Honestly, I didn't expect to see this name as a replacement for Ida. My top options were Ivy, Ivory and Imogen.
Despite that, I like it. It's straightforward and recognizable - not trying hard.
What are your thoughts?
“Dear optimist, pessimist, and realist – while you guys were busy arguing about the glass of wine, I drank it! Sincerely, the opportunist!”
-Lori Greiner
This message was edited 4/27/2022, 2:51 PM
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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In the American context one should not expect a woman named Imani to be Muslim.
It has been quite common the last 50 years for African-American Christians, especially in large Northeastern cities like New York and Philadelphia, to give their children "Muslim" names. The famous singer Aaliyah's parents were Roman Catholics. Former U.S. Representative Floyd Flake and his wife Elaine, who are both pastors in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, named their four children Aliya, Nailah, Rasheed, and Hasan.
Of course many Arabic names which people in the West think of as "Muslim" are just Arabic and used by Arabic speaking Christians in Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, and other places in the Arabic speaking world where there is still a sizeable minority of Christians. Also, many educated African-Americans would be aware that about 30% of slaves brought to North America back during colonial times were Muslims, so almost all African-Americans with slave ancestry had some Muslim ancestors.
This sort of goes double for names like Imani which are derived from Swahili instead of directly from Arabic. There are quite a few names regularly used by African-Americans which are Swahili words adopted as names, even if they are not actually used as names in East Africa. And Imani is particularly well-known within the African-American community because it is the seventh day of the Kwanzaa celebration. Because of Kwanzaa, there are a lot of African-Americans who probably think of Imani as just an African word for "faith" and who don't think of it as a particularly Muslim concept at all.
It has been quite common the last 50 years for African-American Christians, especially in large Northeastern cities like New York and Philadelphia, to give their children "Muslim" names. The famous singer Aaliyah's parents were Roman Catholics. Former U.S. Representative Floyd Flake and his wife Elaine, who are both pastors in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, named their four children Aliya, Nailah, Rasheed, and Hasan.
Of course many Arabic names which people in the West think of as "Muslim" are just Arabic and used by Arabic speaking Christians in Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, and other places in the Arabic speaking world where there is still a sizeable minority of Christians. Also, many educated African-Americans would be aware that about 30% of slaves brought to North America back during colonial times were Muslims, so almost all African-Americans with slave ancestry had some Muslim ancestors.
This sort of goes double for names like Imani which are derived from Swahili instead of directly from Arabic. There are quite a few names regularly used by African-Americans which are Swahili words adopted as names, even if they are not actually used as names in East Africa. And Imani is particularly well-known within the African-American community because it is the seventh day of the Kwanzaa celebration. Because of Kwanzaa, there are a lot of African-Americans who probably think of Imani as just an African word for "faith" and who don't think of it as a particularly Muslim concept at all.
This message was edited 4/28/2022, 6:30 AM
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Iman, Imani, Imane mean "faith" and I have only met children of Muslim families named this. It's interesting that in the US this is not the case.
To me, not all Arabic names are the same. Some are way more religious sounding to me than others. I have many Muslim and Arabic speaking friends and most of their names don't bring up a religious image.
Iman and Imane definitely sound religious to me (maybe also because they are similar to "imam"), but Aaliyah does not. Sort of like Jedidiah sounds very religious to me but Sarah does not (even thought it is also Biblical).
To me, not all Arabic names are the same. Some are way more religious sounding to me than others. I have many Muslim and Arabic speaking friends and most of their names don't bring up a religious image.
Iman and Imane definitely sound religious to me (maybe also because they are similar to "imam"), but Aaliyah does not. Sort of like Jedidiah sounds very religious to me but Sarah does not (even thought it is also Biblical).
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Hurricane Imani sounds scary, like the wrath of God. Hurricane Ivy grows and grows, looks mild but sticks around long enough for heavy flooding. Hurricane Imogen sounds average, which is what I'd go for. Hurricane Ivory sounds too pretty, sunshine after a false alarm.
This message was edited 4/27/2022, 4:23 PM
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It's very religious sounding: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iman_(Islam)
I would expect an Imani to have Muslim parents or one Muslim parent. It also makes me think of the word "imam" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imam
I know an Iman and an Imane, it is very common among Muslims from what I know. The Imane I know is from France.
I would immediately associated Imani with Iman and Imane. I think they have similar origins.
It's a name I find rather boring as it seems a very popular name especially among Arabic speakers just like Nour and Layla and versions of Maryam. They are all fine names but they are probably the Emma, Sarah and Katherine of the Arabic speaking world and therefore quite generic. Same as Maria in Spain or Anna in Germany or Marie in France. Just a bit boring.
As with Imani I also don't particularly like the sound as it is close to Armani.
My favorite out of these is Ivy.
Just wondering, why do you want an I-name so much? I am just surprised as they are all completely different in style to me.
Edit: Okay, sorry, I didn't get anything! I thought these were names for your future daughter and I was so confused because of the 2026 thing (I thought wow, she's planning this pretty meticulously!). Also none of the names seemed the same style to me and I was like "oh, she likes quite a few different styles". Oops.
Oh and I dislike it when they name hurricanes etc. regular women's names. If the Imani hurricane destroys lots of houses, kills people etc. women named Imani won't have a great time.
I would expect an Imani to have Muslim parents or one Muslim parent. It also makes me think of the word "imam" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imam
I know an Iman and an Imane, it is very common among Muslims from what I know. The Imane I know is from France.
I would immediately associated Imani with Iman and Imane. I think they have similar origins.
It's a name I find rather boring as it seems a very popular name especially among Arabic speakers just like Nour and Layla and versions of Maryam. They are all fine names but they are probably the Emma, Sarah and Katherine of the Arabic speaking world and therefore quite generic. Same as Maria in Spain or Anna in Germany or Marie in France. Just a bit boring.
As with Imani I also don't particularly like the sound as it is close to Armani.
My favorite out of these is Ivy.
Just wondering, why do you want an I-name so much? I am just surprised as they are all completely different in style to me.
Edit: Okay, sorry, I didn't get anything! I thought these were names for your future daughter and I was so confused because of the 2026 thing (I thought wow, she's planning this pretty meticulously!). Also none of the names seemed the same style to me and I was like "oh, she likes quite a few different styles". Oops.
Oh and I dislike it when they name hurricanes etc. regular women's names. If the Imani hurricane destroys lots of houses, kills people etc. women named Imani won't have a great time.
This message was edited 4/27/2022, 2:24 PM
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Iman and Imane (I'm surprised it's not in the main database yet - it's very relevant) are two of the most common Arabic names used by Muslim parents in Spain as well, but I don't find it boring.
By the way, what do you mean with the question at the end? It's not a name I chose.
Edit: oh, sorry didn't read your message. I should have clarified. :/
By the way, what do you mean with the question at the end? It's not a name I chose.
Edit: oh, sorry didn't read your message. I should have clarified. :/
This message was edited 4/27/2022, 2:49 PM
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