Imran

Imran is an Arabic name with Quranic significance and a global footprint that spans from Pakistan to Morocco to Southeast Asia. Ranked #972 with a 2023 peak and 4,320 SSA records, it has been a consistent presence in American Muslim communities for decades, reflecting the demographic reality that Muslim Americans are one of the largest contributors to Arabic-origin names in the SSA dataset.

Quranic Roots: The Family of Imran

Imran is the Arabic form of the Hebrew name Amram — the father of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam in the Old Testament. In Islam, "Al Imran" (The Family of Imran) is the third surah of the Quran, named for the family of the Virgin Mary according to Islamic tradition. That Quranic prominence gives Imran enormous religious significance for Muslim families. Arabic-origin names with this level of scriptural grounding are almost always in continuous use across the Muslim world.

Famous Bearers: Imran Khan

Imran Khan — the Pakistani cricketer who led Pakistan to its 1992 World Cup victory and later became Prime Minister — is the name's most internationally prominent bearer. His cricketing fame, particularly strong in South Asian and Commonwealth communities, brought the name wide recognition in the 1980s and 1990s. That association adds a layer of athletic and political resonance that extends beyond purely religious naming motivation.

Counter-Reading: Community and Context

Imran will be recognized immediately within Muslim, South Asian, and Arab communities; outside those communities, it will be somewhat unfamiliar. That's a narrower social footprint than some parents want and a perfectly appropriate specificity for others. Compare Imran vs. Ibrahim for two Quranic Arabic names with different phonetic profiles. Browse current rankings for context on how Arabic names are charting overall.