Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Ima
GirlAmerican (modern coinage)· “uncertain; Southern American name”
- Meaning
- uncertain; Southern American name (origin disputed)
- Origin
- American (modern coinage)
- Pronunciation
- EYE-muh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #12,403
- US babies 2025
- 7
- Best rank
- #432 (1894)
- Peak year
- 1927
Meaning and origin of Ima
Ima is often said to mean “uncertain; Southern American name”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) roots.
Ima is a rare name used mostly in the American South in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and its origin is uncertain. It is best known through Ima Hogg, the Texas philanthropist and art collector, whose unusual name became part of Texas lore. The same spelling means mother in Hebrew, and ima means now in Japanese, but those are separate words. It is said EYE-muh, with the stress on the first syllable. Because it can form a phrase with a surname, Ima is a name to test aloud. It has a distinctly vintage, Southern flavor.
Popularity over time
Ima first appears in US Social Security records in 1886. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 58 different years, starting in 1886. Its best national rank was #432 in 1894, and the most babies received it in 1927, when 232 were named Ima. In 2025, 7 babies were named Ima, and it ranked #12,403 nationally.
Its national rank moved from #548 in 1920, #1,588 in 1950, #7,654 in 1980, #13,804 in 2000, #15,697 in 2010, and #12,403 in 2025. Of the 6,806 US girls named Ima since records began, 28% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 1,817 babies. Since 2010, 33 more have been named Ima.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Millicent, Vilma, Delma, Ardis, and Francisca.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Ima is usually pronounced EYE-muh, with two syllables. It has three letters, starts with I and ends in “-ma”.
Middle names for Ima
A few middle names that flow with Ima: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ima
Similar names
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Lists that include Ima
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ima mean?
Ima is often said to mean “uncertain; Southern American name”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) roots.
What is the origin of the name Ima?
Ima has modern American roots. Ima is a rare name used mostly in the American South in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and its origin is uncertain.
Is Ima a popular name?
Not especially. Ima ranked #12,403 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ima a boy or girl name?
Ima is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Ima?
Ima is usually pronounced EYE-muh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings