imad

Imad is a masculine given name of Arabic origin. It derives from the Arabic noun imād, meaning pillar, column, or mainstay, and by extension something that provides support or stability. The name is often used to signify strength or reliability. In Arabic, the root ʿ-m-d expresses standing or firmness, and Imad is sometimes formed with the sense of a central support.

The name is widely used across the Arabic-speaking world and in Muslim communities elsewhere, including Iran, South Asia, and the diaspora. It is commonly transliterated as Imad, Emad, or Imaad; related forms include Imad-ud-Din, Imād al-Din (meaning pillar of the faith), and other honorific compounds. Variants appear in Persian, Urdu, Turkish, and other languages, reflecting shared Arabic heritage.

In historical usage, Imad al-Din or Imad ad-Din is a common element in the names of rulers and scholars, including Imad al-Din Zengi, a 12th-century atabeg who founded the Zengid dynasty in parts of Syria and northern Iraq.

Notable bearers of the name span contemporary and historical figures across the Arab and Muslim world, as well as the broader diaspora. The name remains a common choice for boys in many countries and is often chosen for its connotations of support and stability.