Amisi

Gender: Boy

Meaning: Given by God, child of the moon

Origin: Hebrew/Latin

Popularity: Ranked #10777 in 2025 with 6 babies born.

History: Amisi is a Swahili name rooted in East African tradition, with origins tracing back to Muslim communities across Kenya, Tanzania, and the broader Swahili-speaking region. The name carries dual significance: it means honest, reflecting virtues central to Islamic ethics, and it may also reference amisi, the Swahili word for new moon. In East African Muslim culture, the lunar calendar has long governed religious life—from the timing of Ramadan to the Hajj pilgrimage—and children born during the new moon phase sometimes receive names commemorating this celestial moment. This practice connects Amisi to both personal integrity and spiritual timing, embedding the name with layers of cultural and religious meaning. Amisi's arrival in American naming records is remarkably recent, first appearing in 2021. Since its introduction to U.S. birth records, the name has grown steadily, with 22 total recorded births through 2025, exclusively given to boys. The name reached its peak in 2024 with six babies named Amisi, and maintained that same count in 2025, where it currently ranks at #10695 nationally. This consistent growth suggests emerging American interest in authentic African names, particularly among parents seeking connections to East African heritage, Islamic tradition, or simply distinctive naming choices that honor global cultures. Though still rare, Amisi's upward trajectory indicates it resonates with a new generation of American families drawn to names with genuine cultural roots and meaningful etymology.

Nicknames: Ami, Misi, Isi

Personality vibes: honest, thoughtful, grounded, principled, calm

Sibling name pairings: Khalid, Jamal, Zainab, Amara, Hassan, Layla, Karim

Middle name ideas: Amisi James, Amisi Michael, Amisi David, Amisi Christopher, Amisi Alexander, Amisi Joseph

Amisi in America Today

Amisi remains a distinctly uncommon name in contemporary America, appealing primarily to families with East African ancestry, Muslim heritage, or a deliberate interest in global naming traditions. The name's exclusive use for boys in U.S. records reflects broader naming patterns in Swahili-speaking cultures, where it has traditionally been masculine. In American contexts, Amisi signals cultural awareness and pride—parents choosing this name often seek to honor their heritage while giving their child a name with authentic meaning rather than an Anglicized alternative. The name fits within a broader American trend of embracing African names that carry specific etymological and spiritual significance. While Amisi has not yet achieved mainstream recognition or celebrity endorsement, its presence in diverse urban communities and among diaspora families continues to grow quietly but measurably.

Naming Trends

Amisi's trajectory in America charts a compelling emergence pattern. First recorded in 2021, the name entered U.S. birth records with minimal initial adoption. By 2024, it had peaked at six births annually, demonstrating accelerating interest over just three years. That peak held steady into 2025, where six babies were again named Amisi, securing it a rank of #10695 nationally—positioning it within the long tail of uncommon American names. The consistency between 2024 and 2025 suggests the name has found a stable niche rather than being a one-year spike. With only 22 total births recorded since inception, Amisi remains exceedingly rare, but the upward trend from 2021 to present indicates growing awareness and adoption. This mirrors larger patterns in American naming, where parents increasingly seek authentic cultural names and move away from purely Anglo-Saxon or invented choices.

Cultural Notes

Amisi occupies a meaningful but still-emerging space in American cultural awareness. The name has not yet appeared prominently in American media, entertainment, or popular discourse, which keeps it genuinely rare and fresh. However, the broader cultural moment favors exactly what Amisi represents: authentic global names with spiritual or ethical grounding. American parents increasingly research name origins and meanings, valuing names that tell a story beyond phonetic appeal. Amisi's connection to the Islamic lunar calendar and the concept of honesty resonates particularly within Muslim American communities and families invested in preserving East African cultural identity. The name's Swahili roots also align with growing American interest in African languages and cultures as counterbalance to historical Eurocentric naming conventions. As conversations around cultural heritage and authentic representation deepen in American society, names like Amisi—with clear provenance, meaningful etymology, and community roots—gain gentle but genuine traction among intentional parents.

Similar names: amis, amais, amias, amisha, amris, aissa, ami, amiah

Name length: 5 letters

How common is Amisi? About 1 in 554,750 babies born in 2025 were named Amisi, or roughly 0 per day in the United States.

Explore more baby names at BabyNa.me — 29,000+ names with meanings, origins, and popularity trends.