Kami

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAM-ee /ˈkæm.i/High

Meaning: Short form of Kamilah/Kamila ('perfect') or Cameron-line names; in Japanese, kami means 'spirit, divinity'Low

In 30 seconds: Perfection in miniature — with a sacred echo: Kami shortens Kamilah ('perfect') and, in Japanese, names the spirits themselves. Small name, layered soul.

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Origin MediumArabic, Japanese

MeaningShort form of Kamilah/Kamila ('perfect') or Cameron-line names; in Japanese, kami means 'spirit, divinity'

U.S. rank (2025)#3360 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births46 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1980

Total births (all-time)≈ 8,925

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

Kami is a short form of Kamilah/Kamila — Arabic 'perfect, complete' — or of Cameron-line and Kammie names; in Japanese, kami independently means 'spirit, deity'. The routes are layered, which we note; the sound is all warmth.

It registers thinly as a given name. Rare, perfect-or-sacred in echo, and breezy.

Did you know? In Japan, kami are the spirits of Shinto — of mountains, rivers, ancestors — so this breezy American short form happens to spell the sacred.

Overall data confidence 60%

Behind the Name — Kamilah references — short-form background

Variations

KammiCamiKamie

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Kami Garcia (1972-)
American author best known for co-writing the Beautiful Creatures young adult novel series

If you like Kami…

Cami— the C-spelled twin

Kamila— the 'perfect' name it shortens

Nami— another Japanese name

Yumi— a similarly popular pick

Kaomi— a fellow Japanese choice

Explore names like Kami

By themeuncertain arabic nickname-name japanese

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kami mean?

Kami shortens Kamilah, 'perfect'; in Japanese, kami means 'spirit, divinity'. We note the layered routes.

How do you pronounce Kami?

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

Is Kami a boy or girl name?

Kami is mainly a girl's name in American use.

How popular is Kami?

Kami is a rare name in the U.S.