Last updated: March 2026

Character Name

Ima

Meaning — Of German origin, derived from the Old High German element ermen, meaning "universal" or "whole." It is considered a short form of names beginning with Irm- or Erm-, such as Irmgard and Ermengard. The name has also been used independently in English-speaking countries since the 19th century, with Texas philanthropist Ima Hogg (1882–1975) being a notable bearer.·Germanic origin·Female·EE-muh

Ima Ima is a rare, understated name with a slightly old-fashioned dignity — it suits a character who is quietly self-sufficient and unassuming, someone whose depth is revealed gradually rather than announced. Its brevity gives it a certain toughness, and it works particularly well in American Southern Gothic, rural historical fiction, or stories set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Best genres for Ima

Historical FictionLiterary FictionContemporary Fiction

Famous characters named Ima

No verified literary characters with this exact given name were found yet. We are continuously expanding this section.


Variations & nicknames

ImaIrmaIrmgardEmma

Pairs well with

Ima GarrettIma CaldwellIma WhitmoreIma TannerIma Pearce

Writing a character named Ima?

Hearth's distraction-free editor helps you develop characters and write every day.

Start writing free

Related names


More Germanic names

Conrad

An anglicised form of the Germanic name Konrad, composed of "kuoni" meaning "bold" or "brave" and "rad" meaning "counsel" — thus "bold counsel" or "brave advisor". The name was borne by multiple Holy Roman Emperors and is deeply embedded in the medieval German aristocratic and ecclesiastical tradition. The Anglophone form Conrad spread through Normandy into England after the Conquest.

Amalia

A Germanic feminine name derived from the element "amal", the dynastic name of the Amal clan — the royal house of the Ostrogoths — possibly meaning "labour", "vigour", or related to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "work". The Amali dynasty produced Theodoric the Great, king of the Ostrogoths and Italy. The name spread into the nobility of the Holy Roman Empire and became a favoured royal name in several European dynasties.

Adele

A Germanic feminine name derived from the Proto-Germanic element "adal" meaning "noble" or "of noble kind". It is a short form of longer compound names such as Adelheid (Adelaide) and Adelheidis. The element "adal" is one of the most productive roots in Germanic name-forming tradition, shared with names like Adolf, Adalbert, and Adelinde.

Ludger

A Germanic masculine name composed of "hlud" or "lut" meaning "famous" or "loud" (in the sense of renowned) and "ger" meaning "spear" — thus "famous spearman" or "renowned with the spear". The name was borne by Saint Ludger (742–809), the first Bishop of Münster and Apostle of the Saxons, who evangelised the Saxon and Frisian peoples in what is now northwest Germany.

Arch

A short form of Archibald, from the Old High German elements erchan ("genuine, precious, authentic") and bald ("bold, brave"), meaning "truly bold" or "genuinely brave." Archibald was brought to Britain by the Normans and became particularly common in Scotland, where it was used as an anglicisation of the Gaelic Gilleasbuig. Arch is the brisk, informal nickname form.

Werner

A Germanic masculine name derived from the Proto-Germanic elements "warin" (a tribal name, possibly meaning "guard" or "to protect") and "heri" meaning "army" or "warrior". The name was widespread in the medieval German-speaking world and was borne by saints, bishops, and Holy Roman imperial figures. It remained one of the most common German masculine names through the 20th century.


Explore more