Cami

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAM-ee /ˈkæm.i/High

Meaning: Young ceremonial attendant; pet form of Camila and Camille, from Latin CamillusHigh

In 30 seconds: A breezy, friendly short form of Camila and Camille that now stands on its own. It keeps the Latin roots of its parent names but trades formality for warmth.

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Origin HighLatin, English

MeaningYoung ceremonial attendant; pet form of Camila and Camille, from Latin Camillus

U.S. rank (2025)#4189 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births34 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1967

Total births (all-time)≈ 5,670

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

Cami began as an affectionate pet form of Camille and Camila, both of which descend from the Latin camillus, the term for a young acolyte who served in Roman religious rites. The Roman family name Camillus was famously borne by the general Marcus Furius Camillus, and Virgil gave the feminine Camilla to a swift warrior maiden in the Aeneid.

As Camila and Camille climbed in the English- and Spanish-speaking worlds, Cami naturally split off as an independent given name, part of the broader trend of nickname-names like Ellie and Millie reaching birth certificates in their own right. It remains an uncommon standalone choice in the U.S.

Did you know? In ancient Rome a camillus was a freeborn child who assisted priests during religious ceremonies — the root behind Camilla and all its short forms.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name — Cami / Camilla — etymology of the parent name

Variations

CammieCammyKami

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Cami Bradley (1988–present)
American singer-songwriter who reached the finals of America's Got Talent in 2013.

If you like Cami…

Camila— the full name Cami most often shortens

Callie— another breezy two-syllable nickname-style girls' name ending in the ee sound

Ellie— a pet form that likewise became a standalone favorite

Millie— a vintage nickname-name with the same casual charm

Explore names like Cami

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cami mean?

Cami is a short form of Camila and Camille, from Latin Camillus, the word for a young attendant who served in Roman religious ceremonies.

How do you pronounce Cami?

It's said KAM-ee /ˈkæm.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Cami a boy or girl name?

Cami is almost always a girl's name in the U.S., reflecting its roots in Camila and Camille.

How popular is Cami?

Cami is an uncommon choice as a standalone name in the U.S., though many more girls answer to it as a nickname for Camila.