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Amai

♀ Girl

Pronounced ah-MY /ɑˈmaɪ/Medium

Meaning: From Japanese amai, 'sweet; gentle'; also Shona (Zimbabwean) amai, 'mother'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Sweet; mother: Amai is Japanese (and Shona). Lyrical, modern, and warm (said 'ah-MY').

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Origin LowJapanese, Shona

MeaningFrom Japanese amai, 'sweet; gentle'; also Shona (Zimbabwean) amai, 'mother'; routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#7914 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births13 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2019

Total births (all-time)≈ 186

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Amai comes from Japanese amai, 'sweet; gentle'; it is also Shona (Zimbabwean) amai, 'mother' (routes layered, which we note). A lyrical, modern name (said 'ah-MY').

In the U.S. it appears across Japanese and African families. Rare, sweet-and-mother at the root, and modern.

Did you know? Amai means 'sweet; gentle' in Japanese — and 'mother' in Shona (Zimbabwean) — a lyrical, modern name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'ah-MY').

Overall data confidence 38%

References — Amai — routes layered

Variations

AmaiaAmaiya

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Amai…

Amaya— a sound-neighbor Ama- girls' name

Amari— a fellow Ama- girls' name

Amani— a companion Ama- girls' name

Sanai— another -ai girls' name

Explore names like Amai

By themeuncertain japanese shona

By meaningGentle / Kind

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Amai mean?

Amai is Japanese for 'sweet; gentle' and Shona for 'mother'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Amai?

It's said ah-MY /ɑˈmaɪ/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Amai a boy or girl name?

Amai is a girl's name.

How popular is Amai?

Amai is a rare name in the U.S.